Multiple car crash at the dreaded Sachangwan area on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway on Tuesday, December 12, 2017. [Photo/Citizen Digital]National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has raised a red flag over increased number of accidents on Kenyan roads with more than 150 people reported to have died in December alone. In a joint statement by Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett, NTSA director general Francis Meja and KeNHA's Peter Mundinia, said that they were alarmed by the increasing deaths."We are alarmed by this rise. Majority of these accidents have been attributed to human error and are preventable if all road users exercise caution," they said on Thursday.The trio said they are specifically alarmed with the stretch between Salgaa and Mau Summit which has witnessed a significant number of crashes.They said preliminary investigations show speeding, lane indiscipline, reckless driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol and other substances as the main cause.To enhance road safety in the particular section, KeNHA will install additional standard bumps and rumble strips including road marking and signage.In the mid-term, a tender to enhance safety on Kibunja-Salgaa section is being issued in a week's time.
"The works to be carried out include construction of three emergency runaway truck ramp, construction of lorry brakes temperature checking point and holding yard in Kibunja," the three said as quoted by the Star.
The agencies further said a dual carriageway will also be constructed at the 10km climbing lane section.
According to the statement, the National Police and NTSA have beefed up enforcement and patrol teams across the country during this festive season.