With 2,197 road users having lost their lives in accidents on Kenyan roads since January this year; upholding road sanity and safety during this festive season cannot be underscored.
According to a report released recently by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), Nairobi Kiambu and Nakuru topped the list with 411, 270 and 210 road fatalities reported between January and December 2018.
Further, 69 per cent of road fatalities on Kenyan roads since January have been occasioned by public service vehicles; private and commercials vehicles while motorcycles too, take a fair share of the mishap.
But as statistics paint a grim picture of the situation, the majority of the accidents on Kenyan roads are as a result of ignorance and recklessness for both PSVs and personal vehicles.
Over-speeding is one of the biggest factors that have led to many innocent lives being lost.
David Kiarie, the Road Safety Association chair together with NTSA in October stated that the leading cause of accidents in public service vehicles is over-speeding.
Before the crackdown on all PSVs early December, most of these vehicles either lacked or had defective speed governors.
Reckless driving -- dangerous overtaking and overlapping -- has also contributed greatly to accidents on Kenyan roads.
During the festive season when many people travel upcountry to celebrate Christmas, night travel and fatigue among drivers is a common occurrence.
It has in the past led to the loss of many innocent lives not to mention greed by traffic police officers who allow unroadworthy vehicles to operate.
In a move to stay safe when travelling during this Christmas season, all drivers whether driving a personal vehicle or a PSV; should observe traffic rules.
If you are plying an unfamiliar route, take caution and drive carefully. Observe set speed limits along the road at all times.
Long distance drivers should also take enough rest before taking the wheel and also ensure that the vehicle is in good condition.
Traffic police officers too should not allow any unroadworthy vehicle to be on the road because it puts many lives at risk.
If we adhere to all these, we will have zero reports of accidents on our roads this festive season.
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