Alcoblow is Back, NTSA Announces
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has announced new measures to reduce the number of road accidents in Kenya, including the return of Alcoblow tests.
In a press release dated, 9th October 2020, The Government has noted with great concern, the rising cases of road traffic accidents across the Country majority being attributed to failure in complying with basic road safety requirements.
Reports indicate that 2,689 persons have lost their lives between 1st January and 30th September, 2020, compared to the same period last year where 2,655 lives were lost. This translates to an increase of 1.3%.
During this periods, Motor cyclists and pillion passenger deaths increased by 44.94% and 19.44% respectively.
The pedestrians who have died in 2020 are 971, drivers 233, passengers 342, pillion passengers 301, pedal cyclists 68 and motor cyclists are 774.
NTSA October 2020 Recorded Deaths
NTSA further indicated that from 2nd to 4th October 2020, a total of 60 persons lost their lives of which most of the accidents were attributed to speeding and drank driving.
For this period pedestrians who have died are 23, drivers 4, motor cyclists 16, passengers seven, pillion passengers nine and one pedal cyclist.
In analyzing the trend, NTSA pointed to the need to focus more efforts towards road safety in order to prevent the unnecessary loss of lives. To this end, the National Police Service will undertake nationwide enforcement operations to address factors such as speeding, lane indiscipline, assessment of general compliance with Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licensing requirements, crackdown on unroadworthy vehicles among other traffic offences. Additionally, random drank driving tests shall be conducted in all major towns from today hence forth, suggesting the return of alcoblow.
NTSA assured the public that measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus shall be in place when undertaking these activities.
The letter was a joint statement by the National Police Service and the National Transport and Safety Authority.