Editor's Review

The National Transport and Safety Authority report shows that more than 3,500 people have lost their lives on the road between January and November this year.

The National Transport and Safety Authority report shows that more than 3,500 people have lost their lives on the road between January and November this year.

According to NTSA Regional Manager Roseline Oloo, out of 3,564 registered deaths,1,241 and 984 were pedestrians and motorcyclists, making them the most affected.

"This year's theme is 'Act on low speed'. We are asking our motorists to observe low speeds because in the event of accidents, the fatalities are usually very low and serious injuries reduced," Oloo stated.

File image of customers at NTSA Office. [Photo: Courtesy]

However, a grey concern is that the roads constructed to open up the economy have become some of the deadliest roads in the country.

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According to data from NTSA, between January and September, Outer Ring Road was the highest risk road, recording 32 deaths. The Nairobi Area Traffic Commandant Joshua Omukata echoed the sentiments while blaming pedestrians for crossing the road at dangerous points.

Thika Superhighway came in the second, recording 30 deaths in the same period, followed by Mombasa Road at 29 deaths, Northern Bypass at 25, Waiyaki Way at 22, Southern Bypass at 21, Eastern Bypass at 20, Kangundo Road at 20, Ngong Road at 20, Juja Road at 15 and Jogoo Road at 10 deaths.

This worrying pattern has been blamed on passengers who avoid using designated spots such as footbridges, zebra crossing, or points where traffic marshalls are situated in order to cross the roads.

Not only are the pedestrians the only statistics but drivers with their personal cars. This year, we lost Senator Victor Prengei to a grizzly road accident.