LETTERS: Let us act quickly to reduce road accidents

Road accidents have increased over the years and at this rate, things can only get worse. In the immediate future since we are going ‘shags’ for the holidays, and in the long term as population and traffic increases.

Though the National Transport and Safety Authority(NTSA) and traffic police are charged with maintaining road safety, it’s too huge a responsibility for a single entity. In countries like Japan, the cabinet office committee with the Prime Minister as chairman, would take the lead in implementation of road safety measures.

Accidents cost our economy dearly and benefit no one. Around 300 billion per year bleed from our national coffers due to accidents. All of us, from council of governors, to education stakeholders, sports fraternity, and religious organisation have been negatively affected by accidents.

Our health facilities and social fabric also get stretched when people who were otherwise healthy fending for themselves suddenly become maimed and dependent on others.As we address this menace, let’s focus on the critical areas. On infrastructure, many roads are not safe especially for pedestrians.

For instance many people have died in Outering Road, yet it’s barely a year old. NTSA should approve road designs with emphasis on basic pedestrian safety. (If this is already being done, then obviously someone is sleeping on the job.).

Roads are not useful if they aren’t safe.

Also, let’s put more emphasis on PSVs parking and stages. In place like Westlands and Kangemi there is barely enough space to pick and drop passengers. Yet these PSVs serve millions of people some going as far as Western.

Failure to address this leads to massive jams along the way esp. during peak hours.We could enhance road safety by introducing a bus trip safety marshal. Seated near the driver the marshal could serve several functions.

First as a liaison between the passengers and the driver, he can tell when the vehicle is over speeding or driving recklessly. Too often, we hear of lamentations that we told the driver to slow down… etc. after the accident. Having someone, with enough clout that the passengers can talk to would address this.

Also, he could also keep a log on police inspections along the way- the concerns raised etc. and report to management. Finally, he could act as a safety ambassador and influencer amongst the PSVs Sacco’s as he is one of them. Where it would not be economical, a designated passenger can be urged to volunteer for the job. Act to reduce secondary accidents. Sometimes where 2 vehicles have bumped into each other.

Then as they settle the dispute, block the road and more serious accidents happen. Or traffic enforcers are chasing an offender and end up causing more accidents. Its known fact that many PSVs will want to change routes during the holidays to maximise profits since as they say ‘the coffee berries are ripe’.

Grant them a licence in advance on condition that they familiarise themselves with the route to avoid accidents from unseen bumps. Where police own PSVs, let this be declared (not prohibited) so as to reduce conflicts of interests.

Some PSVs behave recklessly as they have invisible protectors. We tend to think that road safety concerns others. Let’s strive to change our attitude. For all the stakeholders, safety equals profits.

Since NTSA budget may not be adequate, it must smartly partner with various players to get the message across. Already, it gets negative advertisement every time an accident dominates our headlines. Start from there. We all stand to benefit when we travel and arrive safely.

Kariuki Gathuitu, Nairobi