By Frank Kamuntu
Ten people have been confirmed dead in a horrible accident along the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway.
The Monday, April 1 accident involved five motor vehicles in Salama, Mlima Kiu area, considered a black spot.
Mukaa Sub-county Police commander Barnabas Ng’eno said the grisly accident involved an 18-seater registered to Spannish Sacco matatu, a 14-seater matatu registered to NAEKANA Sacco, two trucks and a saloon car at 8.30pm.
According to the police boss, the accident occurred after a truck attempted to overtake, resulting in a head-on collision with Spanish Sacco Matatu.
“It happened that motor vehicle registration number KBC 564M Isuzu FSR was being driven from Nairobi general direction to Mombasa general direction and on reaching the accident site, the driver failed to keep to his proper lane and made a sudden right turn without due care and attention resulting in head-on collision with motor vehicle registration number KDF 259U Toyota Hiace matatu of Spanish Sacco.
Photos shared from the accident scene showed the harrowing magnitude of the accident as the matatu was severely damaged.
In another incident, an Easy Coach bus ferrying students from Chavakali Boys High School to Nairobi was involved in an accident along the Kisumu-Kakamega Highway.
The Monday, April 1, evening accident happened next to the Coptic Church roundabout near Mamboleo in Kisumu.
Videos from the scene show a crowd milling around as they try to pull the students from the overturned bus.
How To Avoid Road Accident?
Avoiding road accidents requires a combination of responsible behavior, adherence to traffic laws, and awareness of potential hazards. Here are some tips to help you minimize the risk of road accidents:
- Follow traffic laws: Obey speed limits, traffic signals, signs, and lane markings. These rules are designed to keep everyone safe on the road.
- Avoid distractions: Put away your phone, avoid eating, adjusting the radio, or any other activities that take your attention away from driving.
- Stay focused: Pay attention to the road and your surroundings at all times. Scan for pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles.
- Keep a safe distance: Maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of you, and be prepared to react if they suddenly stop.
- Use turn signals: Signal your intentions when turning or changing lanes to alert other drivers.
- Check blind spots: Always check your blind spots before changing lanes or making turns to avoid collisions with vehicles you might not see.
- Drive defensively: Anticipate the actions of other drivers and be prepared to react accordingly.
- Avoid aggressive driving: Stay calm and patient, and refrain from aggressive behaviors such as tailgating, speeding, or cutting off other drivers.
- Adjust for weather conditions: Slow down and increase following distance in adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, or fog.
- Maintain your vehicle: Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained with regular inspections, tire rotations, and brake checks to minimize the risk of mechanical failure.
- Wear seat belts: Ensure that all passengers wear seat belts at all times.
- Be mindful of pedestrians and cyclists: Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and be cautious when sharing the road with cyclists.
- Avoid driving under the influence: Never drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication that may impair your ability to drive safely.
- Take breaks on long trips: Fatigue can impair your ability to drive safely. Take breaks every couple of hours on long trips to rest and refresh.
- Educate yourself: Consider taking defensive driving courses or other educational programs to improve your driving skills and knowledge of road safety.
By following these tips and staying vigilant on the road, you can reduce the likelihood of being involved in a road accident and help ensure the safety of yourself and others.
