Govt Sends Caution to All Motorists ahead of School Reopening: "Drive Slowly"
- The Roads and Transport Ministry has sanctioned various measures to curb tragic road accidents in the country
- Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir cautioned motorists to be keen on the roads, especially during such times as schools are reopening
- Chirchir noted that the surge in road accidents is contributed to by careless behaviours on the part of motorists and unroadworthy vehicles
Kai Eli, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
The Ministry of Roads and Transport has implored all the roads to be watchful to avert the spate of accidents.
Source: Twitter
While receiving the report of the investigations into the recent string of tragic road accidents, Roads Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir enumerated the causes of the carnage, putting road users on notice.
What causes road accidents in Kenya?
The CS called on all stakeholders to restore order on the roads.
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He noted that most accidents are caused by poor roads, drivers' inappropriate behaviours, and unroadworthy vehicles.
Whilst the government is keen on doing its part by upgrading the status of the roads, other players also have important roles to play, the CS said.
He stated that all the government agencies had been activated to enforce the measures for sanity on the roads.
"In response, the Road Agencies and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) have begun implementing several key recommendations from the reports, including treatment and improvement of hazardous road sections, enhanced surveillance and compliance through vehicle inspection processes; and continued efforts in road user education and law enforcement," he said.
What government urged motorists to do
With the schools reopening this week for the third term, the CS called on the motorists to be keen as the roads will experience an influx of travellers as learners traverse counties to return to their respective schools.
"To this end, and as schools reopen nationwide, drivers and motorcyclists are asked to ensure their vehicles are well maintained and appropriately licensed to operate, be cautious on the road and especially of children crossing roads, refrain from honking, drive slowly, and maintain safe speeds around educational institutions," the CS said.
A challenge was also posed to pedestrians to observe rules and only cross at the designated points.
"We also urge pedestrians to be very careful near roads as your safety must come first. Always use designated crossings, avoid distractions such as phones, and make eye contact with drivers before crossing the road," he added.
The report came days after a surge in road accidents in the country.
How 3 accidents claimed lives in Kenya
Recently, over a span of just 72 hours, more than 50 people died in a series of devastating road accidents in three counties.
Source: Twitter
One of the deadliest incidents occurred on the evening of Friday, August 8, when a school bus carrying mourners overturned at the notorious Coptic roundabout in Kisumu.
The crash claimed 19 lives instantly, while seven more victims succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital.
The following day, tragedy struck again in Kajiado County, where a matatu collided with a lorry near Kitengela.
The impact killed seven passengers immediately, with one more fatality reported shortly after.
The two accidents followed another horrific one in Naivasha, Nakuru County, where nine people died when the bus they were travelling in was hit by a cargo train.
The string of incidents raised serious concerns about road safety and infrastructure vulnerabilities across the country, with President William Ruto asking the authorities to act.
The president directed that any relevant officer found to have slept on the job, contributing to the accidents to be arrested and taken before justice.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
