Road Accidents Have Killed 3,541 Since January – NTSA

Data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) shows that 3, 541 people died in road accidents between January and September this year. This is a 7.8 percent increase from the 3,286 recorded in a similar period last year.

Pedestrians account for the highest number of fatalities with the number rising 10.9 percent to 1,269 from 1,144 recorded in a similar period last year. They were followed by motorcyclists at 941. The number of passengers who died in road accidents also increased by 20 percent to 634 from the 527 deaths recorded last year.

Meanwhile, drivers and pillion passengers who perished in road accidents were 324 each. Bicycle riders accounted for the least number of deaths at 49.

Road accidents have recently been on the rise with several deaths reported across the country. For instance, five people lost their lives on Sunday evening in a grisly road accident involving a matatu and a lorry on Mombasa road in Makueni county.

Ten people also died after a head-on-head collision between a matatu and a fuel tanker in Homa Bay county. The river Nithi accident in July left more than 30 people dead.

NTSA had earlier cautioned motorists to be careful on roads for the safety of all road users including pedestrians. A recently published report by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that every year the lives of approximately 1.3 million people are cut short as a result of a road traffic crash. Between 20 and 50 million more people suffer non-fatal injuries, with many incurring a disability as a result of their injury. Men are more likely to be involved in road accidents than women.

According to WHO, road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years. Pedestrians and cyclists are the most affected. WHO explains that when a vehicle is overspeeding, the death risk for pedestrians hit by car fronts rises rapidly 4.5 times from 50 km/h to 65 km/h. In addition, the fatality risk for a car-to-car crash is 85 percent at 65 km/h.

Some of the major road accident causes include speeding, driving under the influence of a substance, distracted driving, and the nonuse of motorcycle helmets, seatbelts, and child restraints, among others.

According to WHO,  correct helmet use can lead to a 42 percent reduction in the risk of fatal injuries and a 69 percent reduction in the risk of head injuries. Equally, Wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of death among drivers and front seat occupants by 45 – 50 percent and the risk of death and serious injuries among rear seat occupants by 25 percent.

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