There has been a steady increase in road carnage in the country since the beginning of the year with most accidents blamed on reckless driving.
Statistics released by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) in February this year painted a grim picture of the situation on the Kenyan roads.
According to data from NTSA, 649 people lost their lives in road accidents in Kenya from January 1, 2024, to February 20, 2024.
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Of course, the number of those who have perished on Kenyan roads has increased from February 20 to March 19, 2024 (at the time of publishing this article).
On Saturday, March 16, at least two people were killed and several others were injured when a Kapsabet Boys High School bus was involved in an accident at Patkawanin along Karbaret-Marigat Road in Baringo.
On Monday, 11 students died and 21 others were seriously injured after a Kenyatta University bus collided with a truck in Voi on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway.
The bus was ferrying students heading to Mombasa for an academic trip.
That same Monday, five people lost their lives and 18 others were injured after a fatal collision in the Mugango area along the Olunguruone-Silibwet road in Bomet County.
The accident involved a Toyota Hiace matatu with registration number KCK 758R and a motor tractor registered as KUB 805 Massey Ferguson.
Another tragic accident involving a police Landcruiser and a taxi occurred in Wajir on Monday, killing the taxi driver instantly.
Safety measures
Last year, Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said that drunk driving, speeding, non-use of seat belts and helmets, and unsafe crossing of the road by pedestrians were the main causes of accidents and injuries.
So how do you keep yourself safe amid mounting road carnage in Kenya? Well, motorists need to follow at least 10 essential rules to avoid accidents.
The Kenya Traffic Highway Code provides guidelines on the do's and don'ts when using the motorway.
Road Rules in Kenya:
1. Do not overtake when there is oncoming traffic.
2. Do not overtake where you see a continuous yellow line.
3. Don’t get so close to a vehicle you plan to overtake.
4. Never begin driving when the amber and red lights are showing simultaneously.
5. Don’t block other drivers at the roundabout.
6. Avoid reversing from side roads into the main roads.
7. Avoid creating traffic obstruction/congestion.
8. Always observe the indicated speed limits when driving on any of Kenyan roads.
9. Don’t be tempted to drive a car in reverse with no clear reason.
10. Never drive in the middle of the road.
There are also health and safety guidelines for other road users (not only drivers) as per the Highway Code in Kenya. They include:
1. Road users shouldn’t begin a journey or drive if they feel tired.
2. No drinking and driving.
3. Road users shouldn’t drive with poor defective vision.
4. It is mandatory to wear safety belts.
5. Do not take medicines that may result in drowsiness when driving.
6. Avoid driving or riding along the designated pedestrian lane. This can be an act that denies pedestrians their right of way while also resulting into road accidents.
7. Use horns to warn other road users –this ensures the safety of every road user.
