We must all strive to reduce road crashes
Members of the public at a scene of a past accident. Three people died in a road accident involving a boda boda and car on the Busia-Malaba Road on January 30, 2016. FILE PHOTO |
What you need to know:
- The National Transport and Safety Authority has come up with regulations that seem to be changing road safety.
- The organisation of public service vehicles into saccos or companies for ease of self-regulation may be contributing to the declining road crashes involving public service vehicles.
- The enforcement of laws such as reduction of speed and the blood alcohol limits for drivers has drastically reduced road traffic crashes in many developed countries.
On May 11, 2016, the world marked the mid-point in the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020. Where does Kenya stand on our journey to reducing road deaths by 50 per cent by 2020?
Progress has been made, but more needs to be done. The National Transport and Safety Authority has come up with regulations that seem to be changing road safety. The organisation of public service vehicles into saccos or companies for ease of self-regulation may be contributing to the declining road crashes involving public service vehicles.
At the global level, a target to reduce road traffic fatalities by 50 per cent by 2020 and another one on sustainable urban transport have been included in the Sustainable Development Goals.
TAKE PRACTICAL STEPS
It is important that we, as a country, take practical steps to stop the carnage on our roads by implementing laws. It is unfortunate that in Kenya, where road traffic incidents is high with huge economic consequences, the public vigorously resists the enforcement of road traffic laws and policies.
The enforcement of laws such as reduction of speed and the blood alcohol limits for drivers has drastically reduced road traffic crashes in many developed countries and Kenya, too, can benefit from such laws if they are implemented consistently.
Mr Munene — Pamoja Road Safety Initiative, Ms Oywaya — Association of Safe International Travel - Kenya, Ms Omoro — Smart Drivers Organisation – Kenya
