Most fatal accidents on major Kenyan roads occur between Friday and Sunday, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has revealed.
NTSA, in a statement to newsrooms ahead of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, said the accidents occur mostly between 5:00 pm and 10:00 pm, with the peak being at 8:00 pm.
“Most fatal road traffic crashes occur from Friday to Sunday, between 5.00pm to10.00pm. The peak being 8.00p.m,” read the statement.
Why increased accidents?
The agency attributed the crashes to reduced enforcement during the said hours, high volumes of traffic and pedestrians/rush hour, as well as pedestrians crossing at non-designated or unsafe areas, leading to increased chances of being knocked by speeding vehicles.
Other risk factors are poor lighting at the pedestrian crossing points and major highways, driver fatigue, drink-driving, and high speeds.
At the same time, NTSA revealed that approximately 3,924 Kenyans have lost their lives as a result of road traffic crashes for a period between January 1 to October 30, 2022, an increase of 5.11 per cent of deaths recorded during the same period last year.
The majority of road traffic deaths are among vulnerable road users: pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.
During the aforementioned period, NTSA said, pedestrians made up at least 36 per cent of the casualties with a total of 1,413 followed by motorcyclists at 1,046.
The fatalities of pedestrians increased by 9.2 per cent increase from last year’s 1293 while that of motorcyclists increased by 1.16 per cent (12).
Further, the government agency stated that passengers recorded the highest jump in fatalities by 39.58 per cent from 600 in 2021 to 693 this year.
However, the number of pillion passengers dropped marginally by 18.8 per cent from 371 in 2021 to 363 over the period under review.
Similarly, fatalities involving pedal cyclists decreased by 25 per cent to 53 from 71 deaths reported last year.
World Day of Remembrance
The World Day of Remembrance is marked every third Sunday of November each year.
The day advocates and calls for more efforts towards ensuring victims of road accidents receive justice.
“The theme also puts a spotlight on traffic law enforcement, thorough investigation after a crash to find out if a crime was committed and to prevent recurrence, criminal prosecution where appropriate and civil compensation,” NTSA said.
