National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) in partnership with the traffic department and Kirinyaga driving schools’ Association have launched a sensitization campaign in a bid to educate road users to comply with traffic rules
The campaign is set to create awareness, especially among boda boda operators who have been accused of failing to adhere to traffic rules which has been attributed to road carnage in the area.
NTSA regional coordinator Lerite Murkuku says that many accidents reported are caused by careless motorcycle riders who overspeed and overlap without caring about other road users.
He wants boda boda operators to ensure that they enhance and adhere to road safety rules of stopping and giving way, not overspeeding, and ensure that they respect other road users.
“We are going to be on the road to make sure our roads are safe, the traffic officers will enhance strict adherence to traffic rules during the festive season as it is prone to accidents due to the high number of people traveling,” he said
He called on Kenyans to stop driving while drunk especially PSV drivers who are always in a rush to get more money during festive seasons.
Kirinyaga Driving Schools’ Association Patron David Machere says that all driving schools have joined hands to ensure that there is proper training, especially on boda boda operators to reduce road accidents in the county.
Machere challenged the operators to ensure they undergo proper training since most of them do not have licenses and they pose a threat to other road users.
“There is a need for all stakeholders to come out and promote responsible behavior of all road usage to avert road carnage,” he said
He called on all road users to be careful during the festival session cautioning drivers not to drink and drive saying most of the road accidents are caused by human error.
Sam Munyiri one of the boda boda operators in Kutus town lauded the campaigns and called on his fellow operators to adhere to traffic rules and regulations to protect their lives and that of their customers.
“We have our own Sacco which helps us to regulate our self that is why we have fewer cases that get reported to police we also have a good relationship with our customers as well,” he said
By David Wandeto
