Coast Region Police have intensified sensitization of road users on road safety in a bid to prevent accidents along the Mombasa-Malindi road that is under construction.
Coast Region Deputy Police Commander, Wilkister Vera, noted during the road safety sensitization that six accidents are recorded weekly along the busy highway.
“Police stations between Malindi and Mtwapa barely pass a week without recording a minimum of between four and six serious accidents,” disclosed Vera.
He said Police will use a friendly approach in the sensitization campaign to pass their message to motorists, passengers, and pedestrians.
Vera implored Traffic Police Officers not to be tough on the public if the campaign was to succeed.
Motorists were advised to be careful while on the road that is under construction, while long-hour drivers were urged to rest and to desist from using intoxicants.
The Deputy Police Commander underscored the importance of refresher courses for drivers and sensitization meetings.
“It is these ordinary things you ignore that have cost us important lives and left families in deep distress. It is important, especially at this time when schools are closed and people are travelling a lot, that we observe all the safety measures to reduce cases of accidents, especially on this road, which has lately become notorious,” she said.
She noted that the ongoing construction has exacerbated accidents and urged road users to follow road signage and instructions from traffic marshals from the construction company.
Regional Traffic Police Commander George Kashmiri, said his officers are on high alert monitoring all school buses on tour at the Coast during the holidays to prevent accidents.
“We have informed all the officers to inspect all the school buses and ensure that they comply with the set rules. There will be no night movement of school buses, no overloading, and they must comply with the inspection requirements,” Kashmiri said.
By Sadik Hassan
