Boda boda riders major cause of road accidents, NTSA says
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has said that boda boda riders are the leading traffic offenders in the county forming the highest number of casualties. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- According to the transport safety authority, most of the riders, who are aged between 19 and 39, are reckless and not professionally trained.
- NTSA statistics indicate that more than 3,000 Kenyans die every year due to road accidents, and that 2,552 lives have been lost since January.
Boda boda riders are the leading traffic offenders in the county forming the highest number of casualties, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has said.
According to the transport safety authority, most of the riders, who are aged between 19 and 39, are reckless and not professionally trained.
In Baringo County, for instance, 71 people who died in road accidents this year were either boda boda riders or passengers.
Speaking at Marigat Secondary School, Baringo South Sub-County, during the World Remembrance Day of road traffic victims, NTSA Deputy Director Duncan Kibogong said Nakuru County is second after Nairobi with 207 cases of fatal accidents caused by boda boda riders.
NTSA statistics indicate that more than 3,000 Kenyans die every year due to road accidents, with more than 2,000 people having lost their lives since January.
The NTSA boss warned motorcyclists operating without licences, reflector jackets and helmets that they risk prosecution.
He urged county governments to improve their road infrastructure to help prevent road accidents occasioned by bad road conditions.
Dr Kibgong observed that there is an increased number of people who do not follow traffic rules thus contributing to an increase in road carnages.
“We cannot afford to lose more lives due to road accidents,” he said, adding that the agency has rolled out a national road safety sensitisation programme.
In abating road casualties, Baringo County Women MP Grace Kiptui urged boda boda operators to adhere to traffic regulations.
NTSA used the forum to donate road safety gear to boda boda operators.
