STATISTICS: Trend Analysis And Fatalities In Kenyan Roads

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 22- Recent statistics by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) show a rise in cases of road accidents in 2021, compared to a similar period last year.

According to a survey by NTSA, road fatalities have increased by 25 percent as of September 20, 2021.

This was attributed to reckless driving, dangerous overtaking, drunk driving, drunk walking, drunk riding, failure to use helmets among other issues that have been attributed to the increase in crashes.

Between January 2021 and September 20, 2021, some 3,212 people had been killed in accidents as compared to 2,560 who died similar period last year, an increase of 652 people.

Of those who have died this year, 1,111 are pedestrians, 311 drivers, 520 passengers, 318 pillion passengers, 61 pedal cyclists, and 891 motorcyclists.

NTSA pointed out that last year in the same period, 927 pedestrians, 213 drivers, 331 passengers, 288 pillion passengers, 63 pedal cyclists and 738 motorcyclists were killed in accidents.

Some 7,018 people were seriously injured in the accidents as of September 20 this year as compared to 5,172 of last year while 3,938 had slight injuries as compared to the 3,295 of 2020 in the same period.

A total of 2,824 fatal accidents have happened this year as compared to 2,284 in 2020 which is an increase of 540 incidents.

There have been 3,589 serious accidents this year so far as compared to 2,905 of last year, the survey showed.

Some 1,279 pedestrians have been seriously injured this year as compared to 984 of last year in the same period.

The pedestrians killed were crossing various roads when they were hit by vehicles and motorcycles.

This was revealed during a meeting between NTSA and top police commanders on Tuesday.

Traffic commanders led by commandant Mary Omari were summoned to the meeting by Deputy Inspector General of Kenya police Edward Mbugua to discuss the issue.

Among the remedies, the various stakeholders agreed to sustain various campaigns to address the cause of accidents in the country which are robbing many of their lives and leaving others suffering.