At least 32 people have died in road accidents in Taita-Taveta County this year, the Traffic Department has disclosed.

Releasing the accident figures yesterday, the Coast Provincial Traffic Enforcement Officer Martin Kariuki said 22 accidents victims were seriously injured while six received slightly injuries during the road crashes along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway.

He said 12 accident victims died as a result of careless driving while six pedestrians were killed by hit and run vehicles. Eight drivers and five boda boda were among those who died in road accidents in the region, he said.

The traffic commander noted that majority of the accident victims had been rendered physically disabled and turn into a burden to their relatives and society at large.

Prevent accidents

Speaking at a campaign rally to prevent accidents during the Christmas and New Year festive in Voi town yesterday Mr Kariuki blamed drivers for the rising cases of accidents in the region.

The traffic boss was accompanied by among others the County Governor John Mruttu, National chairman Matatu Welfare Association Dickson Mbugua, County Executive Member in-charge of Transport Alexander Mwangeka and senior Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA).

The accident figures come at a time when the country is still grappling with numerous accidents. This year alone, a total of 3011 people have died of road accidents in the country, disclosed Kariuki.

“We are blaming most of the road accidents on drivers who do not follow traffic rules. The use of drugs and alcohol abuse is also to blame for the increase in accidents,” noted the traffic boss.

While announcing measures to curb road carnage in the region, Kariuki said the government has deployed and equipped police along the busy highway in Manyani, Maungu, Taru, Maji ya Chumvi and Kibarani with cameras and alcohol blow equipment to help check accidents.

“Any motorist found breaking traffic rules will be arrested and prosecuted,” he warned.

Source: STANDARD Digital