- It is time the government took stern action against drivers who cause accidents by banning them from ever driving.
- Owners of vehicles that are not roadworthy should also be held accountable when an accident occurs.
Only this Saturday 10 Kenyans lost their lives in a tragic road accident at Mbooni, Makueni county.
The accident, according to police reports, happened when the driver of a 14 seater matatu with 17 passengers lost control and the van rolled into a ditch.
Normally around festive season, like now, a lot of accidents happen on our roads which can easily be avoided.
Some are caused by speeding, while some are blamed on drunk drivers. Time and again we are told, as Kenyans, to be careful on the roads and the message is not taken seriously.
This calls for change of tact in dealing with the problem.
It is time the government took stern action against drivers who cause accidents by banning them from ever driving. Owners of vehicles that are not roadworthy should also be held accountable when an accident occurs.
While vehicles can develop mechanical problems, some of these accidents can be avoided if police ensure unroadworthy matatus are taken off the roads, and if Matatu Owners Association also emphasised the need for servicing public service vehicles regularly.
Drivers must be extra careful. There will be many vehicles on the roads as people travel to celebrate Christmas with their loved ones.
Police officers too need to be more vigilant so they can arrest those who are overlapping, speeding and driving while under the influence of alcohol if more senseless loss of lives is to be avoided.
It takes the cooperation of everyone to stop the senseless accidents and as passengers and citizens also have duties to report a vehicle driven recklessly or flouting traffic rules.
Quote of the Day: “Work for something because it is good, not just because it stands a chance to succeed.”
Vaclav Havel
The Czech statesman, author, poet, playwright and dissident died on December 18, 2011