The National Police Service on Friday, October 9, announced that it would carry out operations on major roads in the country in an effort to curb road accidents.
In a statement, Inspector General Hillary Mutyambai noted that the rising cases of road traffic accidents across the country were attributed to failure by drivers to comply with basic road safety requirements.
He stated that on the first weekend of October between Friday 2, and Sunday 4, 60 people lost their lives in accidents linked to over speeding and drunk driving.
"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 requirement, a crackdown on unroadworthy vehicles among other traffic offences," he stated.
The IG added that the police would conduct random drunk driving tests in all major towns from October 9.
"We assure the public that measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus shall be in place when undertaking these activities," he noted.
He stated that the measures would enhance efforts towards road safety in order to prevent the unnecessary loss of lives.
According to a report released by NTSA, 2,689 persons had lost their lives between January 1 and September 30, 2020, compared to the same period last year where 2,655 lives were lost which translates to an increase of 1.3%.
During the same period, motor cyclists and pillion passengers deaths increased by 44.94% and 19.44% respectively.
The accidents reported in the beginning of October occurred after President Uhuru Kenyatta lifted the order prohibiting the sale of alcohol facilitiating the reopening of bars
He called for caution to prevent a second wave of Covid-19 infections.
"The prohibition against the operation of bars and the prohibition against the sale of alcoholic drinks and beverages by ordinary restaurants and eateries shall stand vacated," he stated during a press conference on September 28, 2020.
