The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has listed a number of issues it says are causing the majority of the road accidents in the country.
According to the authority, the situation is to blame on a number of issues ranging from drunk driving, speeding, poor road conditions and fatigue among drivers.
Through Nakuru Traffic Police boss Rashid Ali on Sunday, NTSA further blamed the absence of police on the roads, saying that drivers are no longer seeing it necessary to obey traffic rules.
“Speeding, drunk driving, poor road conditions and lack of proper road signs have aggravated the situation. Following the ban on road barriers and enforcement, most road users have thrown caution to the wind. Some accidents were caused by fatigued drivers, inexperienced motorists, and poor visibility especially at night and bad road conditions," he said.
Other causes include lack of awareness, failure to observe traffic rules and over speeding.
In Nakuru, he said that shortage of footbridges and crossing points is to blame, further accusing bodaboda riders of not only flouting traffic rules but also engaging in other crimes.
The latest NTSA report indicates that the number of people who were seriously injured in road accidents have increased to 4,825 by September 25, from 3,309 last year.
Ali said that the Public Service Vehicles (PSV) vehicles involved in accidents have reduced, with private and commercial vehicles now recording the most incidences.
"The highest number of accidents involved private cars followed by commercial vehicles. It is encouraging that the lowest incidences of accidents were recorded in public service vehicles," he said.
He said that his officers have identified seven blackspots in the county namely; St Mary's, Statehouse, Salgaa, Free Area, Ngata, Kinungi and Kikopey, but will be addressing the issue.
“We have a raft of measures in place including Cracking down unroadworthy vehicles, having traffic law enforcements on the road in collaboration with NTSA, conducting random speed checks," said Ali.
We will also be Enhancing Alcohol Breathalysers (alcoblow), have regular pick hour road checks. The police will closely monitor the Black spots and will not hesistate to recommend suspension of licenses of notorious offenders,” he added.