The number of road fatalities have reduced by 15.7 per cent since the beginning of the year, a report by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has revealed.
The report, dubbed Comparative Statistics Trends, revealed that 466 road users lost their lives on the road between January 1 and February 26, 2017 compared to 553 last year.
This means the traffic deaths reduced by 87.
PASSENGERS
In the two months, pedestrians led the number of road fatalities accounting for 191 deaths, motor vehicles passengers followed with 97, motor cyclists (81), drivers (57), pillion passengers (35) and pedal cyclists (5).
The number is lower than 2016 deaths where 223 pedestrians died, passengers (114), motor cyclists (94), drivers (59), pillion passengers (45), pedal cyclists (18).
NTSA Communication Director Dido Guyatu has attributed the reduction in the fatalities to intervention measures by the transport agency.
She said erection of pedestrian fences along high-risk roads has led to the prevention of pedestrian deaths, who frequently cross the busy highways at non-designated points.
The introduction of early morning, midday and late afternoon speed checks coupled with evening patrols have also played a part in discouraging reckless behaviours by the road users.
APP
Another major contributor to this reduction was the NTSA App, a mobile app to aid road users on road safety, which has enabled the public to be vigilant by reporting reckless driving and also incidences on the road.
Other campaigns include Alcoblow, the Zusha campaign where public are encouraged to complain over reckless driving and making traffic rule violators hold up placards with their crimes have been employed.
According to NTSA Director General Francis Meja, reporting of traffic incidents and misconduct via the mobile app is still low.
Mr Meja said the number of people reporting misconduct by matatu drivers is not as high as anticipated.
DRUNK-DRIVING
“People only make noise after an accident occurs, saying that the government should do something. People should not be afraid of the matatu crew as they outnumber them. If people say no to bad behaviour, the drivers would behave well on the road,” Mr Meja said.
The NTSA boss said motorists have found ways to evade being caught drunk-driving through social media platforms.
“The level of awareness is high because the campaign has been running for a while and is effective as most people are now drinking closer to home,” Mr Meja said.
