November 27, 2024

newsline

Timely – Precise – Factual

Road deaths shoot up after curfew lift

566 Views

Close to 700 more people died in road accident this year compared to last year according to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) data.

Latest data indicates 4,023 persons have died in the country to date compared to 3,340 in the same period last year.

Upsurge of the accidents has been attributed to the move to lift Covid-19 restrictions, including the night curfew, which had limited night travel.

 The revelation came as NTSA and traffic police embarked on a road safety sensitisation campaign ahead of the festive season.

Government Spokesperson Cyrus Oguna (pictured left), said the 4,023 persons died between January to date.

This was an increase from 3,340 in the same period last year with boda boda operators leading at 1,508.

“We are worried by the rising number of deaths on the roads as we head to the festive season and hence the safety campaign,” he said.

Oguna noted that the majority of the accidents in the country involved young persons and were caused by speeding, drunk-driving and careless overtaking.

He was addressing the press in Naivasha after launching the safety campaign along the Mai Mahiu-Narok Road.

“The numbers of persons who have died on this road are 53 while 103 have been injured or maimed since the year began,” he said.

Director of Motor Vehicle Inspection Gerald Wangai said road safety campaigns were carried out throughout the year, not just during the festive season.