Road fatalities drop by 17.1% in 11 months

The number of people killed and injured in road crashes in Kenya went down by 17.1% by end of November this year compared with the same period in 2016.

Statistics issued by National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) show the total number of victims reduced from 11,949  to 9,904 by November 29, 2016.

NTSA Director-General Francis Meja attributed the reduction of road carnage to increased road safety campaigns and awareness, enhanced road safety sensitisation and enforcement of traffic rules and regulations that the Authority is carrying out across the country.

The number of those killed across the country over that period was 2,668 in 2016 compared with 2,559 by the close of November in 2017, representing a 4.1% decline.

However, the number of motorcycle boda boda passengers killed on road crashes has gone up this year by 6.25% compared to 2016.

By November 29, 2017, 204 boda boda passengers had died compared to 192 who lost their lives by the same time last year. Ironically, fatalities of motorcycle riders have dropped by 1.75% from 457 cases last year to the current 449.

The data by the road safety authority revealed that pedestrians accounted for the highest number of those killed, with 966 deaths, followed by passengers at 609 while motorcyclists were third.  Drivers come fourth at 282 deaths.

Separately, a Road Traffic accidents status report released by Rift Valley Regional Traffic Officer Ziro Arome indicates the number of fatalities in the region recorded in the month of November alone stood at 60.

Arome stated that a total of 178 accidents were reported with 78 casualties sustaining serious injuries while 40 others got minor injuries.

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The NTSA’s November 29^, 2017 road safety status report stated that 3, 390 people were seriously injured in road crashes compared with 4,198 last year. 3, 850 others have so far sustained slight injuries in road carnages this year.

The report also stated that Nairobi County contributed over 20% of all the national fatalities recorded by last month.

The county recorded a total of 668 deaths, a majority being pedestrians, with 497 killed on the roads.

The NTSA attributed most road crashes to bad road user behavior such as drunk-driving, speeding and low levels of road safety awareness among road users.

The agency says it has inadequate enforcement powers as it relies on other agencies such as the police when conducting road safety operations.