Road set for upgrade to curb crashes
What you need to know:
- “This was not the second or third time people were burnt while siphoning fuel at accident scenes. I wonder why people keep on making this fatal mistake,” he said.
- Mr Meja said the team was checking on the progress of short-term measures it had suggested, including the erection of bumps and road signs.
- He said another short-term measure to curb accidents along the stretch would be to construct a special lane for trucks.
Plans are at an advanced stage to build a dual carriageway from Nairobi to Malaba to curb accidents along the Great North Road.
“The design has been completed and we are waiting for the construction to start, said National Transport and Safety Authority director-general Francis Meja.
The road will be built through public-private partnership.
The official spoke at Nyanja Farm on the Nakuru-Eldoret road, where six people were burnt to death as they siphoned petrol from an oil tanker that had overturned at the weekend.
FACT-FINDING MISSION
The Kenya National Highways Authority will carry out the roadworks.
Mr Meja was among a group of senior officers from safety authority and the traffic department who were on a fact-finding mission along the dangerous 30km stretch between Salgaa and Timboroa.
Traffic Commandant Charlton Muriithi was also present.
Mr Meja said the team was checking on the progress of short-term measures it had suggested, including the erection of bumps and road signs.
“We wanted to see how much work had been covered. I am happy to report that the road bumps and signs are in place,” he added.
On claims that the bumps were causing accidents, Mr Meja said they were a new feature on the road and many drivers were not aware of them.
The size of the road signs will be increased to ensure motorists see them in good time to take caution, he added. He said another short-term measure to curb accidents along the stretch would be to construct a special lane for trucks.
The director-general said it was unfortunate that people were still siphoning fuel from tankers yet they were aware of the dangers of such actions.
PEOPLE WERE BURNT
“This was not the second or third time people were burnt while siphoning fuel at accident scenes. I wonder why people keep on making this fatal mistake,” he said.
He also warned residents against vandalising the new road signs.
“The National Transport and Safety Authority has done everything to ensure accidents are minimised and the public also has a role to play. It should ensure the road signs remain intact while motorists should observe traffic rules and exercise caution on the highway,” he added.
