Road accidents have become more rampant especially during the post Christmas and new year seasons as majority are travelling back to their various workplace mainly in urban areas. This is the period that schools are also reopening and students across the country are traveling back. Drivers and pedestrians are advised to be vigilant now that cases of road accident have escalated at high rate. I mostly spend my time listening and watching news over the radio and television everyday. A day won’t pass without me hearing the lives of innocent Kenyans which have been claimed because careless drivers and passengers we have. This is saddening indeed.

Time has come to stand up and say enough to the road accidents claiming residents’ lives by the score. It is heart rending to be confronted everyday by pictures of mangled vehicles and horrifying images of mangled corpses on the roads or bandaged survivors in hospitals. Nevertheless, the rampant bribery endorsed and practiced by the road traffic officers must come to a halt. It has been defined as one of the thing putting our dear lives in danger while traveling. Without a thought, they have allowed the free reign of unroadworthy vehicles and incompetent drivers on the highways. For instance, today if you travel to most Kenyan highways such as Thika highway, Mombasa road among others, you will be shocked to see matatu operators not only flouting traffic rules but also overloading their vehicles. Passengers for a long time have been on their tears due to higher prices they are overcharged by these matatu operators. Over speeding has also become a taboo to most drivers especially along the narrow streets which has jeopardize the lives of young school- going children.

Surprisingly, all these barbaric practices do happen at the watchful eyes of traffic police officers even on a broad day light. Instead of ensuring safety among travelers, majority have ventured into bribe- taking. Their minds have been corrupted by those small cents inhibiting them from playing their roles as required. There is also incessant hooting by matatus in search of pedestrians. It has caused noise pollution posing health risks not only to town dwellers but also to students in classrooms. They have found it difficult to maintain their concentration in class.

According to the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) statistics, it shows that road accidents has led to great lose of lives each and every year. For instance, there were 3063 death tolls due to road accident in the year 2020. This number increased upto 4012  death tolls in the just completed previous year. Knowledge brought about by this statistics teaches us that we need be more responsible in order to curb the menace. The traffic police officers in collaboration with the other concerned authorities must take quick measures to control the situation.

It is now a call for action if we are to curb road carnage. The responsibility lies upon all of us. Therefore, we should also stop the habit of blaming our traffic police officers for all the death traps on our roads. The road users at all time must also be keen. Traffic lights are meant for our own good purpose. So let’s us utilize it properly. If we ignore them, we are dragging ourselves to the death-line. Pedestrians should also avoid putting on earphones while walking down the road. The same applies to boda boda operators who are fond of putting on loud music. This should stop henceforth. In addition to that, know whether to keep left or right and always maintain your lane.

Communication and media student at Rongo University.

Ken Austin.