•Furthermore, NTSA expressed concern over incidents of motorists driving through floodwaters and flooded roads.
•Since the year started 7,198 Kenyans have been involved in roads accidents, marking an increase of 1,908 compared to last year.
Image: FILE
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has issued a warning to road users concerning the potentially hazardous conditions brought about by heavy rains across the country.
In a statement released on Saturday, NTSA Director General George Njao emphasized the need for increased caution, urging the public to be extra vigilant, courteous, and mindful of safety measures.
He highlighted the importance of looking out for vulnerable road users such as children and pedestrians.
NTSA also cautioned motorists about the accumulation of dirt, soil, and oil deposits on roads due to increased rainfall following a period of dry weather.
"With increased rainfall, the Authority cautions road users that after the recent dry weather there is an accumulation of dirt, soil, and oil deposits," reads the statement.
The authority also advised drivers to reduce speed to navigate these slippery surfaces effectively, minimizing the risk of losing control.
Furthermore, NTSA expressed concern over incidents of motorists driving through floodwaters and flooded roads.
They urged drivers to avoid such situations and called on passengers to take responsibility for their safety by speaking out against unsafe driving practices.
Among the precautionary measures recommended by the NTSA are the prompt removal of stalled vehicles, maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles, and ensuring headlights are turned on for better visibility.
The authority has also advised drivers to drive slowly after going through water to allow brakes to dry and to keep both hands on the steering wheel for full control.
Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists were advised to wear bright clothing or reflector vests to enhance their visibility on the roads.
The NTSA reaffirmed its commitment to road safety and announced that NTSA and National Police Service (NPS) officers would conduct road safety compliance checks on major highways.
These checks would include monitoring speed, verifying the validity of NTSA documentation and licenses, conducting random drunk driving tests, and cracking down on overloaded vehicles and illegal public service vehicles (PSVs).
The NTSA urged all road users to adhere to safety guidelines and cooperate with law enforcement officers to ensure safer roads for everyone.
Since the year started 7,198 Kenyans have been involved in roads accidents, marking an increase of 1,908 compared to last year.
According to NTSA data, the accidents are from January 1 to April 1.
Among the 7,198 Kenyans, NTSA reveals that 1,189 died from road accidents, 3,316 were seriously injured and 2,693 suffered from minor injuries.
This paints a grim picture compared to the same period in 2023 where deaths from crashes stood at 1,129, those who were seriously injured were 2,435, and atleast 1,726 were slightly injured.
The data further shows that pedestrians account for the highest fatalities in 2024 at 436 which is an increase compared to 374 of last year.
Pedestrians were followed by motorcyclists at 276 fatalities which is a decrease from 311 in 2023.
Atleast 255 passengers died in the period under review marking an increase compared to 211 last year.
Pillion passengers had 102 fatalities as compared to 105 in 2023 of the same period.
98 drivers have died in the period under review, which is a decrease from 108 in the year 2023.
Of pedal cyclists, 22 of them died this year as compared to 20 in 2022.