New way to track boda boda traffic offenders in Naivasha launched

Over 3,000 boda boda operators in Naivasha will be required to paint their motorcycles for easy identification in case they flout traffic rules or are involved in road crashes.

The chairman of Naivasha Sub-County Road Safety Committee, Dr Oren Ombiro, said the initiative will enable law enforcers to identify motorcycle operators who flee after committing traffic offences.

“Motorcycle operators are notorious for fleeing from accident scenes and it is usually difficult to identify the culprit since the motorcycles look almost alike.

“Others ride away fast when they flout traffic rules and are pursued by police and it is almost impossible to stop them,” he said.

The initiative will see each of the 70 points where motorcyclists operate from in Naivasha given a distinct colour, which they will be required to paint on a visible section of the motorcycle.

TRACKING OFFENDERS

This will make tracking offenders easier as the search will be narrowed to a particular operating point and thus enhance road safety for motorcyclists, their passengers and other road users.

Dr Ombiro said the Road Safety Committee met with leaders of boda boda operators in Naivasha and they all agreed to paint the motorcycles.

“We are starting the exercise on Thursday and hope we will be through by the end of the week,” he said.

He said the committee was committed to enhancing road safety in the sub-county.

According to data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), 344 motorcyclists died in road crashes between January 1 and November 12 this year.

In the same period, 600 motorcycle operators were seriously injured after being involved in crashes while 143 others were slightly injured.

Dr Ombiro was speaking in Naivasha when 5,000 reflective bags were handed over to 10 primary schools to enhance road safety.

REFLECTIVE BAGS

The bags will be given to pupils in Class 1 to Class 4 to use for carrying books as they are vulnerable to road crashes on their way to and from school.

The reflective bags were donated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) through Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Road Safety program.

Motorcycle operators have been accused of flouting traffic rules hence causing crashes on Kenyan roads.

Mr Mathew Munyao, NTSA’s road safety director, says the motorcycle operators are supposed to follow traffic rules just like other motorists.

“It is common to see them overtaking from the left instead of the right side, they rarely stop at traffic lights, they carry more than one passenger and don’t wear helmets as required,” he said.

According to WHO, motorcyclists and passengers should be encouraged to wear helmets as they help to reduce head injuries when crashes happen.

“Wearing a helmet has been shown to decrease the risk and severity of injuries among motorcyclists by about 70 per cent,” a statement on WHO’s website states.