The National Police Service (NPS) has announced a nationwide traffic enforcement and sensitisation campaign to curb road accidents as schools close for the long holiday.
Through a statement released on Monday, October 19, the NPS said the initiative was being conducted in collaboration with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
The campaign targets speeding, overloaded vehicles, unroadworthy cars and failure to wear seat belts, with school transport vehicles facing thorough inspections to ensure compliance with safety standards.
“Accordingly, the National Police Service, in collaboration with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), will intensify public sensitization and enforcement of traffic regulations nationwide, including those on speeding, unroadworthy vehicles, overloading and safety belt use, and will subject school transport vehicles to thorough inspection to confirm compliance with all safety standards,” NPS stated.
School buses awaiting inspection by NTSA officials
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NTSA
Additionally, more police officers will be deployed across the country to enforce traffic laws as increased student travel raises the risk of accidents involving children and other road users.
Motorists have also been urged to observe speed limits, avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and refrain from using mobile phones while driving.
The NTSA separately reminded school transporters to inspect their vehicles before travelling, emphasising the need to check lights, tyres and brakes to protect learners on the road.
Pedestrians and motorcyclists have also been urged to follow traffic rules, while parents and guardians have been advised to entrust children only to reputable operators with roadworthy vehicles.
“A roadworthy vehicle saves lives. To all back-to-school transporters: test your lights, inspect your tires, and service your brakes before hitting the road. Let’s get every student home and to school without incident,” NTSA stated.
This comes as videos of overspeeding matatus, popularly known as ‘nganya’ overspeeding, show what appear to be high school students hanging on the windows.
Historical road safety data from NTSA show that pedestrians account for the largest share of traffic fatalities in Kenya, leaving schoolchildren particularly vulnerable when crossing highways or walking to school.
The assessments indicate that a child struck by a vehicle travelling at 30 kilometres per hour faces a 10 per cent risk of death, rising above 80 per cent at 50 kilometres per hour.
Current measures by NTSA include the Pumzisha Mboka campaign, which restricts school buses from operating before 6am or after 6pm, as well as warnings against children protruding from moving vehicles.
NTSA has also promoted safer school zones through its Safe Roads, Bright Futures project at Mwangaza Comprehensive School in Kayole, featuring speed bumps and pathways designed around a 30-kilometer-per-hour limit.
An image of NTSA enforcement officers during a recent crackdown on motorists.
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NTSA