Recklessness blamed for most road accidents

There is an alarming increase in road accidents mostly caused by preventable and predictable factors.

Players in the transport industry say most accidents are caused by recklessness, speeding, overloading and use of unroadworthy cars.

Last month, over 20 road accident-related deaths were reported in Kenya, the most recent claiming seven people at Kikopey trading centre on the busy Nairobi-Nakuru Highway.

The manager of Petanns Driving School , Amos Muiruri Mbugua, says many Kenyans learn driving in the streets and avoid driving  schools. He regretted that most drivers are unlicensed and, as such, do not conform to the laid-down traffic rules.

Speaking after the official opening of the school’s new branch in Ruiru, Kiambu County, Muiruri urged drivers to exercise caution while on the road.

“We cannot continue watching as people die due road accidents. We have a duty to ensure that we, and those around us, are safe.

Punitive measures

Let us all rise to the occasion and say not to recklessness and impunity,” he said.

He urged 2022 national examination candidates to enrol in driving and computer courses before joining  institutions of higher learning.

Meanwhile, families of road accident victims called on the government to enact punitive measures against careless drivers.

Beth Wanjiru, a resident of Mwihoko, recalls how her husband, Samuel Munene, was hit by a matatu at Kariokor in Nairobi as it tried to escape a police dragnet. The driver left him for dead.

Munene died at Kenyatta National Hospital.

Wanjiru is now struggling  to bring up her children through menial jobs. She urged the government to introduce tougher measures reduce road accidents.

“I have been left to bear a very heavy burden of bringing up my children ,which would not be that hard if my husband was alive. The government should enact serious regulations against reckless drivers,” she said.

Road carnage

As of November 2022, Kenya experienced a 3 per cent increase in road carnage, with fatalities standing at 4,432 as compared to 4,271 during the same period in the previous year.

A report by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) indicates that this is the highest death toll since independence.

In the meantime, the youth have been urged to embrace technical courses offered in local technical and vocational colleges to acquire skills required for employment in both the private and public sector.

Susan Mwangi, the Principal of Petanns Technical Training Institute, says young people, especially form four leavers, should  enroll in technical courses to bridge the gap for skills.

She said most courses at Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions (TVET) are marketable and relevant since the trainees can create their own jobs, rather than relying on formal employment.