The mounting of speed cameras on major roads in the country is saving lives, the National Transport and Safety Authority has said.
Road Safety director Dr Andrew Kiplagat yesterday said the number of accidents, mainly on the Northern Corridor, has dropped sharply since the rollout began last year.
“Last year, we lost more than 4,000 people, which was a decline compared to the previous year, but we are still concerned with the high number of accidents involving pedestrians,” he said.
He was speaking in Karai, Naivasha on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway after St John Ambulance opened a trauma centre there targeting accident victims.
NTSA statistics indicate that 649 people have died in accidents across the country since the year began, with pedestrians accounting for 252.
Kiplagat said the authority mounted several speed cameras in a bid to halve the accidents, leading to the sharp drop.
He said next month, the authority will launch the National Road Safety Action Plan, which is meant to address the rising cases of accidents.
While praising St John Ambulance, Kiplagat said they would continue to partner with other stakeholders in addressing road safety and stemming road accidents.
St John Ambulance CEO Dr James Wanjagi said they have 19 rescue centres in the country, with two of them targeting trauma victims.
He said the Nairobi-Nakuru highway has recorded fatal accidents, and many lives could have been saved if there was a fast response.
“We are appealing to other partners to assist us so we can open more trauma centres on our major roads, and this will save tens of lives,” he said.
Wanjagi said the Naivasha centre will be manned 24 hours, with focus on accident victims, though residents can also get medical services.
Dr Bob Agwata from the Ministry of Health blamed the high number of fatal accidents on the country’s roads on speeding, careless overtaking and drunk drinking.
“We are appealing to stakeholders, including NTSA and St John Ambulance, to train motorcycle operators on life-saving as they are always the first to respond to accidents,” he said.
