What is happening on our roads? Can’t a day just pass without an accident being reported where lives are lost? Worse still, many more have to cope with the effects of injury and thus become part of the huge group of people affected by road carnage.  Am I the only person who seems bothered?

In the past years, the average number of lost lives on the roads has reached an estimate of around 3000. Sadly, it seems that majority of us have slowly come to accept that number, responding with only a nonchalant shrug on the worrying issue.

Make a comment about the recent road carnage and I am sure one of the many responses you will get will be ‘It is December’. So where is it written that it is okay for lives to be lost on the roads because it is December? Why is it that I feel people are misinterpreting Christmas and its festivities?

It is only natural that friends and family should be together NOT TO MOURN but to have a great time. The loss of a family member or friend leaves so much grief to those left behind and to a greater extent, the country at large.

What is the way forward? Is the government doing enough? It is disturbing how organizations and individuals- which I will not mention- only see the need to address road accidents when they make headlines.  This is not the time to pass blame. As the Kiswahili proverb says ‘maji yaliyo mwagika haya zoleki’, it is my sincere prayer that those whose lives have been claimed on the roads will rest in peace and their families will get the much-desired comfort.

Moving forward, what happens NEXT? Quite a number of appeals that Wanadamu attends to are as a result of road accidents. During the annual FEB 14 visit to Kenyatta National Hospital to visit road accident survivors, it was found that the ward was full beyond capacity with new cases coming in very day. The hospital is forced to create space to admit new patients.

Instead of pointing fingers on the shaky condition of our transport system, how about we start an initiative to do something that will impact the society?

Experience is the best teacher. We are all road users and through each other’s experiences and guidelines, we get to learn about things that will make us and other people safe on the roads.

I sent a message to a few friends asking them what they do to be safe on the roads. Here is some of the feedback I got:

• Always drive within speed limit and ensure your lights are working. Also have your Drivers License with you ~ Meera
• Use indicators, cross at Zebra Crossings and obey traffic lights at all times ~ Brian
• Do not board or travel in any vehicle with excess passengers ~ Sewe
• Assume everyone on the road is mad, deal with care ~ Zack
• Use mirrors, and indictors appropriately to help other road users and have your car in great running condition ~ Njeri
• Be vigilant on the road, less aggressive and extra alert ~ Mwenda
• Always belt up, advocate for others in the car to do so ~ Violette
• Know what you can and can’t do, know what your vehicle can or can’t do. Take personal responsibility ~ Mary
• Always give way whenever you can ~ Ken
• Avoid tailgating. If you can’t see both the back tyres of the car in front of you, you’re too close.
• I take a lot of road trips and I’ve learnt that concentration is very important. Plan your music playlist in advance – saves you looking for that “one song.”
• . In my opinion the number one reason for accidents is loss of patience, especially due to traffic snarl-ups. So I avoid simple things that create traffic. Don’t enter a junction if it’s not clear. Don’t exit a junction just to block someone. Traffic is a cycle. It comes back to test your patience. Don’t be part of it.
• Always listen to your car. It will talk to you. It will tell you when your brakes are faulty. It will tell you if your suspension is weak. Which means you’re stopping distance is off. Look after your car and it will save lives. Yours and others.

As Vance, I endeavor to:

1. Never make assumptions while on the road, when not sure of what to do, I would rather pull over and collect my thoughts
2. Not drink. When in the company of people who drink, I always take the driver’s seat.
3. Believe as much as one may have right of way, it is not a right to get hit.
4. Am Courteous and considerate of other road users
5. Drive within comfortable speeds. Speeds, which in an event something was to happen I would be able to have control over the car.
6. Not use my phone. You can always call back or text later.
7. Practice safe driving etiquette where I do not follow an overtaking car blindly and do not put others at risk while overtaking
8. Avoid night travel especially after a days work. The body is tired, you push it too much it goes off.
9. Have my emotions in check. Road rage has caused accidents and patience has stopped accidents from happening.

You might think that some of the above may not apply to you but I believe if you:

1. Borrow and implement something from the above, you will at least put two lives at lesser risk
2. Share your tips and experiences with someone using whatever means, like social media, verbally etc. It may save someone’s life.

If you have any tips that you would like to share, get in touch with us via Facebook, Twitter, or our contact form and we will help share the information.

I pledge to do what I can, in the best of my ability to be responsible for my own life and at least 30 others a day by exercising caution and responsibility on the roads.

Pledge that too and a time like this in 2014 if you honor your pledge, the number of lives lost on the roads will be different.