It's December, here's how to arrive alive at your destination

Hours after a bus rolled into a ditch along the Muhoroni-Londiani highway leaving over 30 passengers injured, road safety experts have cautioned Kenyans against being reckless on the roads to avert further accidents.

As the festive season kicks in, the experts including transport consultants, experienced drivers, police among other stakeholders observed that the Christmas festivities come with a lot of excitement that often results in recklessness especially among drivers.

The key road transport stakeholders cautioned motorists to observe traffic rules while on the road, noting that careless driving and improper overtaking are the lead causes of road accidents.

Led by Anthony Kamau, who ventured into public service driving business in 1995, the experts said that safety on roads is a shared responsibility for all motorists, adding that to prevent an accident all stakeholders must be keen enough and observe the stipulated traffic rules.

Kamau, who now runs a fleet management business that helps matatu operators explore new business avenues and embrace professional fleet management for enhanced sustainable revenue growth, called on drivers to be sober.

Drunk-driving is blamed for poor judgement and decision-making through slow reaction time, decreased vision and lack of coordination that results in increased likelihood of accidents.

Speaking in Thika town, the experienced driver at the same time urged drivers to be content with the amount of money they make per trip. They should avoid carrying excess passengers, use the stipulated speed and follow all traffic rules.

“Drivers should exercise extra caution and ensure they have had enough rest before they start the day. Those taking various forms of drugs should take a leave as a simple cold can cause a road accident. Christmas is an opportunity to make money for drivers but over-stretching yourself, working for 16 hours to make a killing, will make you develop fatigue that will not end well,” Kamau said.

In a country where over 3,000 people die yearly through road accidents, with most of them being at their prime ages of between 15-45 years, Kamau regretted that the cost of accidents to the economy and affected families is staggering and Kenyans should do everything possible to be safe on the roads.

He at the same time called on the government to remove unnecessary bumps in certain sections of major highways that he also cited are to blame for increased accidents.

His sentiments were echoed by drivers James Mbugua and John Karanja, who work with Chania Travellers Sacco that plies the busy Thika superhighway.

They said increased numbers of personal vehicles on the road were to blame for accidents during festivities.

The drivers noted with concern that most of the personal vehicles are normally hired for use by inexperienced drivers who travel to new areas unaware of the terrain and landscape, a resulting in accidents.

“Why we have so many accidents during Christmas holidays is because of the high number of hired personal vehicles, some of which are driven by inexperienced drivers. Villages are usually painted with cars during Christmas seasons but the danger is, people who use them only have driving licenses but have no experience. Some drive while drunk while others are not well versed with the various roads and routes they use to the villages,” Karanja said.

Egron Wainaina, a traveler, decried that most accidents happen during Christmas festivities when high volumes of people are travelling to see their loved ones.

He saidmost drivers operate under the influence of alcohol and other substances, a situation that puts their lives and those of passengers at risk.

While calling on drivers to keep off the wheel while drunk, Wainaina stated that the drivers dismiss the fact that when they get behind the wheel, the impairment can dangerously affect their judgement and concentration.

“If you have to hire a car and be drunk, hire a driver to drive you as well. It is sad that most accidents happen due to drunkenness by drivers. The time has come for all of us to take it as our personal responsibility to stop deaths along the road,” said Wainaina.

Juja subcounty traffic base commander Patrick Nyongesa warned drivers against unnecessary speeding, overtaking in sharp corners, on the hill and when there are vehicles in front.

While warning that arrested drunk drivers will not be spared, Nyongesa at the same time warned motorists to avoid obstructions such as making phone calls, phone texting and eating while driving.

“When you are on the wheel, consider yourself as the only sober person on the road. During the celebratory season, if you must take alcohol, leave the vehicle at home. If you come to our station while drunk, our officers will keep your vehicle safe and perhaps even take you home to ensure you get there safely,” Nyongesa said.

Last year, at least 4,690 people lost their lives on the Kenyan roads, according to a recent economic survey.

During the year, 21,757 road accidents casualties were reported, representing a 5.5 per cent increase from the 20,625 reported cases in 2021.