The road safety lobby groups have expressed their approval of the changes that have recently been made at the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA). They are hopeful that by this move, the authority will be able to implement reorganisation that will eventually alleviate the problem of the road accidents that are on the increase throughout the country.
The reshuffle at the helm follows the loud voices of the road safety players who for many months have been pressuring the management to explain what they have done to halt the increasing number of road carnages that are witnessed everywhere.
In a statement, the Association pointed out that in the last six years, the road fatalities have reached the level where more than 30,000 people have died, and about 100,000 others have been injured in road crashes which is something the entire sector describes as an unspeakable disaster caused to the country.
The lobby groups have now urged the new NTSA leadership to prioritize collaboration with all key stakeholders in the transport sector, including matatu operators, motorists, and county governments, to strengthen road safety initiatives.
They have also emphasized stricter enforcement of traffic laws, better driver training, and creating awareness among the public through campaigns that will be directed to both pedestrians and motorists.
”The transition will give the new team a chance to bring back the trust of the public towards NTSA by putting the focus on life-saving and safer roads for all Kenyans,” the Association said in a statement.
The plea is made at a time Kenya is facing an upsurge of fatal road crashes of which a big percentage of these accidents is attributed to speeding, and reckless driving, poor vehicle maintenance.
The reform agenda at the NTSA is now seen as a lever for positively changing the whole road safety situation and eventually pushing and sustaining safety culture in stakeholders of the transport sector.
