Every festive season, drivers of public service vehicles get into a murderous rush in the hope of cashing in on the travel craze and the exorbitant fares.
The recklessness of PSV drivers and the devil-may-care attitude of private motorists spawn a fertile ground for fatal accidents that will cut lives short and leave thousands maimed for the rest of their lives.
It is heartening to learn that the new leadership at the National Transport and Safety Authority has taken a proactive lead by suspending the licences of 62 drivers whose conduct has been established to be unbecoming and ought to be punished as a lesson to all, and that they ought to know that they are under close surveillance.
The NTSA should work with the police to enforce alcohol tests to rid the roads of drunk drivers endangering not only their lives, but those of innocent motorists and pedestrians.
The NTSA should go further and penalise bus firms and matatu saccos that hired the banned drivers with a cash fine that will send a long and painful warning that recklessness does not pay.
The NTSA must also now work with passengers by providing an active toll-free number where passengers can report foolish speeding and overtaking to save lives.
Quote of the day: “But silence is where victims dwell.” —German-Swedish poet and playwright Nelly Sachs was born on December 10, 1891
