You are likely to die on Nakuru and Nairobi roads, NTSA report shows
As experts push to reduce road accidents by 50 per cent in 2030, speeding has been mentioned to be the main cause of road accidents with roads in Nairobi and Nakuru cities cited as high risk where you’re likely to die.
Reports by the Kenya Police and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) indicate that approximately 4,000 people lose their lives in road accidents and the number has increased by 5 per cent from last year.
During the Celebration of World Remembrance Day for road traffic victims, drivers were urged to observe speed limits with human failure being attributed as the main cause of crashes.
NTSA Deputy regional director for Coastal region, John Pateroi called on drivers to observe speed limits.
“90 per cent of road crashes are caused by human error. Mechanical error is very minimal as it contributes less than 10 per cent.” He said.
“It is important for everyone to become cautious while on the road; observe speed limits and consider other users of the road, especially pedestrians, and ensure vehicles are well maintained and well serviced to be on the road.” He added.
The World remembrance day for traffic victims is celebrated every third Sunday of October worldwide to remember millions of people who have been killed and others injured.
He added that NTSA is working with different agencies like the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to come up with a system that separates pedestrians from vehicles as they do roads.
A recent status report by the authority (NTSA) shows that Nairobi and Nakuru recorded the highest number of fatalities registering 39 and 35 deaths.
According to the report, fatality rates are higher in highly urbanized counties and it has been attributed to an increase in infrastructure and high population which has increased the interaction between motorists and pedestrians who are vulnerable road users.
“In the same period last year, this category of road users’ contribution was 38.5 per cent. Vulnerable road users including pedestrians, motorcyclists, pillion passengers, and pedal cyclists contributed to 78.8 per cent of all deaths in October 2023.” The authority stated.
Nakuru had the highest number of driver deaths (six), followed by Kiambu (three) and Makueni at three deaths.
“Some of the driver fatalities are because of distracted driving, especially the use of mobile phones, speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs, non-use of seatbelts, fatigue, poor journey planning and management and poor vehicle maintenance and use of unroadworthy vehicles.” The report shows.
