The National Transport and Safety Authority has launched an anti-drunk driving campaign in partnership with the Pubs, Entertainment & Restaurants Association of Kenya (PERAK), Alcoholic Beverages Association of Kenya (ABAK), Uber, Taxify and Little Cab.
Dubbed Fika Salama, the campaigny commenced on December 1 and aims to reduce road accidents and fatalities associated with drunk-driving by encouraging revelers to take alternative transport home instead of driving while under the influence of alcohol during the festive season. The campaign is also educating the public on responsible drinking habits like spacing alcoholic drinks with water and eating well before consuming alcohol.
Those found to have reached the permissible levels of intoxication will be arraigned in court to face trial under Section 44 (1) of the Traffic Act, which prohibits driving under the influence.
According to data from NTSA, the total number of road accident-related deaths reduced by 10 per cent from 3,150 cases reported in the financial year 2017, compared to 2,834 cases in 2017. This year 2,323 have died on the roads as at October 2017, majority of whom comprise the youth while the highest deaths are reported over the weekends.
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NTSA Director General Francis Meja said 91 per cent of accidents in Kenyan roads are attributed to human behavior, noting that drink-driving, drink-riding and drink-walking topped the list of the risky road-user behaviours.
“Alcohol impairs a driver’s cognitive ability turning them into a hazard on the road. It impairs vision, judgment sensory ability, all being critical aspects of safe driving,” he said.
“We have a responsibility to our consumers; we sell alcohol for enjoyment and we therefore encourage them to partake responsibly and stay safe on the road so as to continue with nation-building,” ABK Chairman and KWAL Corporate Affairs Manager Gordon Mutugi said.
