Firm action needed to halt rising road carnage

Kenyans continue to die in road accidents even as the Governments dithers in enforcing traffic laws to save lives. Just recently, it announced that the dreaded Alcoblow would make a return to check drink driving but that is yet to happen.

Seven people, including three football fans died in separate road accidents in Naivasha and Mogotio districts over the weekend.

Both accidents involved speeding by drivers.

However, it is important to note that ending the high rate of deaths on our roads also requires passengers in public vehicles to demand that drivers respect highway rules.

A worrying trend in the recent accidents is the increase of deaths involving drivers of private vehicles. In these cases, as well, speeding and reckless overtaking are to blame.

Mombasa road and the Nakuru-Eldoret highway have become the most notorious for accidents and motorists are urged to drive on these roads with a sufficient amount of caution.

Drivers involved in a high rate of accidents should have their licenses withdrawn as punishment.

The Government should also investigate driving schools for corruption. Some of these schools bribe the police to clear students during driving tests.

‘LICense to kill’

This means the number of Kenyan drivers on the road with a "license to kill" is higher than thought.

But ultimately, the Government must bring a Bill to Parliament to give legal teeth to proposed reforms, including the so-called "Michuki rules" that for a time at least brought some sanity to the unwieldy matatu industry.

Because the public transport industry is largely in the hands of a sector controlled by extortionist gangs, chaos will persist and so will the unnecessary loss of life.