The rise in road accidents along the Northern Corridor has been attributed to vandalism of road signs and guard rails by members of the public.
According to the department of traffic, the number of road accidents had risen by 18 percent compared to last year with the majority of them caused by vandalism.
This came as St John Ambulance with the support of UN Habitat launched a community First Aid post in Kinungi, Naivasha to support accident victims.
The six month pilot project located along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway will provide first aid support to road accident victims while promoting road safety awareness along the busy road.
According to Traffic Commandant Dr Fredrick Ochieng, they were working with other State agencies in coming up with more road signs despite the vandalism.
He noted that the signs played a critical role in road safety while calling on members of the public to assist in reporting the vandals.
“We have seen road accidents rise by 18 percent compared to the same period as last year and the vandalism targeting road signage has played a part,” he said.
Addressing the press after launching the First Aid post, Ochieng put on notice pedestrians crossing major roads on undesignated points.
“Many of the passengers are crossing the roads on undesignated points yet there are footbridges nearby and we shall have to use the law to get them,” he said.
On his part, Dr James Wanjagi from St John Ambulance said that the project was meant to reduce accidents along the Kinungi, Karai and Naivasha corridor.
He said that they were working closely with other government agencies like traffic police, NTSA and KENHA in addressing the current crisis on the roads.
“This First Aid post which is fully equipped and operating for 24 hours will come in handy in assisting the high number of persons involved in road accidents along this highway,” he said.
Ahead of the festive season, Wanjagi pointed out drink-driving as one of the major causes of road accidents leaving tens dead and others injured.
The Nakuru NTSA Regional Manager Joseph Gichohi lauded the project noting that it would go a long way in saving tens of accident victims while enlightening the community on road safety.
“The biggest challenge that we have faced in the ongoing road safety campaign is vandalism targeting road signage and guard rails along the Northern Corridor,” he said.
