Every third Sunday of November, World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims in marked, commemorating the millions of lives lost or wounded in accidents.
The day is also observed to honor emergency responders and medical workers. These varied personalities have to deal with the stress of road deaths and injuries on a daily basis.
According to Kenya's National Transport and Safety Authority, very many Kenyans are killed in road accidents between Friday afternoon and Sunday evening. This statement was made just a few days before World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
The authorities added that these traffic accidents happen largely between 5pm and 10pm, with the peak being around 8pm.
In Kenya, road accidents hurt or cripple up to 173 persons every day. The accidents have also become the major cause of mortality for people aged 15 to 29 years.
Individuals, their families, and the society as a whole suffer significant economic losses as a result of the injuries. These losses result from the expense of treatment as well as missed production for individuals killed or crippled by their injuries, as well as for family members who must miss work or school to care for the injured.
Reduced enforcement at these times, large quantities of traffic and rush hours among pedestrians and motorists, as well as people crossing roads in non-designated or dangerous areas and being hit by speeding cars are the causes of these incidents.
Many of the above-mentioned traffic accidents are entirely avoidable. It is not difficult to reduce the number of traffic accidents. All it takes is for people to drive more responsibly and for the government to enforce traffic laws and punish those who attempt to breach them.
As per the figures released by NTSA in July 2022, the overall number of road accident casualties was 2,696, up from 2,490 during the same time in 2021.
In 2022, 957 pedestrians, 741 motorcyclists, 471 passengers and 245 pillion passengers got killed. In the seven months from January to July 2022, 247 drivers and 35 pedal bikers were also killed.
It is critical for drivers and motorists to be adequately equipped with life-saving equipment. This will assist to lower the number of fatalities in traffic accidents.
Boda boda riders should be encouraged to join Saccos and get insurance coverage.
Furthermore, the authorities and society should play a role in deterring minors from working as boda boda operators.
They should also work together to deter of abuse of boda boda riders to committing unlawful activities, untrained riders riders violating traffic restrictions, drug and substance misuse and speeding.
As we approach the festive season, very many people will be traveling from the urban areas to spend time with their loved ones back in the villages. All that is required from them is to drive responsibly and follow the traffic rules.
Ian Sylvan and Lucky Oluoch are freelance journalists
