Road safety in Kenya.
Between 3000 and 13 000 Kenyans lose their lives in road traffic crashes every year. The majority of these people are vulnerable road users – pedestrians, motorcyclists, and cyclists.
According to the latest survey report by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) dated September 2 2019, 2,326 people had lost their lives compared to 2,021 who died by the same date in 2018. Pedestrians remains the most vulnerable with 904 having lost their lives. This is compared to 768 lost in the same period in 2018.
In total, by 2nd September 2019 report on Road Safety 2019, there were 2326 fatalities, 4315 serious injured and 3694 slightly injured. Please not that most of the incidents are not recorded so in actual sense it could be double the figure.
It is the duty of every one of us to learn the basic rules of roads safety to prevent these incidents. Some people say they do not have any vehicle or motorcycle thus they don’t need to learn road safety rules or traffic rules. Statistics and survey shows that every 10th road victim is Pedestrian and according to some other report every 5th victim is Pedestrian. In road accidents half of victims are Children, pedestrian, cyclist and motorcyclist. Infact road related accidents affects all, and therefore road safety is a shared responsibility of all either you are pedestrian or driver.
Rules for Crossing Road and Walking on Road
• First of all find a safe place to cross the road. You cannot cross road from everywhere it may be dangerous for yourself and for them who are driving. Either use the designated crossing areas e.g foot bridges and zebra crossing or carefully cross after ensuring it is safe to do so.
• Always look both sides before crossing a road.
• Follow RLR rule. Look right, left and then again right. Because whenever you try to cross a road where traffic is coming from your right side there is 70% chance that you may get hit from your right side traffic. Remember, after looking right, left and right again, you only close if it is safe to do so.
• Never run on the road or walk too slow while crossing road
• Do not walk diagonally
• If traffic is coming, then wait and let it pass
• When it is safe, go straight
• Use zebra crossing if available
• Keep watching towards traffic coming to you while crossing the road
• Always use foot walk for walking
• If there is no footpath then walk in opposite direction of traffic so you can keep watching the traffic coming to you.
• Avoid crossing road at curve/bends.
• Never use mobile/text while crossing road
• Never lost in thoughts while crossing road. Be Alert, Awake and Aware of your surrounding.
• Be seen on road and wear bright and reflecting clothes at night
• Avoid walking on busy roads
• Use special bridge to cross the roads
• Don’t take risk – If it is difficult to cross the road ask for help from your friend or traffic police warden.
In summary, be Vigilant, Resilient, Responsible, Proactive and Careful. Don’t take risks on the road. Follow the traffic rules and your conscious as well. Don’t be a statistic. Embrace a road Safety Culture and arrive alive.
