Curbing deaths from road crashes

By Ochieng’ Ogodo

[NAIROBI] A national initiative aimed at reducing deaths and serious injuries from road traffic crashes has been launched in Kenya and will strengthen laws, policies and actions that are proven to save lives.

Road traffic crashes are a top-five cause of death for Kenyans between the ages of five and 70, and the leading killer of boys aged 15-19.

Worldwide, road traffic crashes kill approximately 1.3 million people every year - more than two every minute - with more than nine in ten of all deaths occurring in low and middle-income countries, according to World Health Organization (WHO).

Road traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 globally. WHO estimates that crashes will cause another 13 million deaths and 500 million injuries around the world by 2030 if urgent action is not taken.

The move by the Ministry of Health, the National Transport and Safety Authority, the WHO and Bloomberg Philanthropies was launched last week (25 May).

At the end of the year 2021, Kenya recorded 4,579 fatalities as a result of road traffic crashes with tens of thousands more seriously injured. As at 22nd May 2022, a total of 1,816 fatalities have been recorded showing an increase by 9.2% compared to a similar period in the year 2021.

“No deaths on our roads are ever acceptable, and road traffic crashes are a pressing public health issue that we are working hard to urgently resolve. The work with WHO and partners through the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety will be key to supporting our efforts to save lives and push forward progress.” says Mrs. Agnes Odhiambo, the NTSA Board Chair person.

The initiative comes as the government finalises a new National Road Safety Action Plan that aims to halve deaths from crashes by 2030. The government, WHO, Bloomberg Philanthropies and other partners are meeting to define how the initiative can best support the New Road Safety Plan.

“Road crash deaths are a crisis that hides in plain sight. Stepping up action on road safety is vital, as on top of the tragic human toll, road safety touches on all our lives each day, including getting to work and to school. By strengthening laws, practices and bringing partners together, the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative is key to saving lives,” said Dr Abdourahmane Diallo, WHO Representative in Kenya.

“Bloomberg Philanthropies is proud to partner with the Government of Kenya to strengthen road safety efforts that will save lives. We are committed to supporting proven road safety interventions that save lives,” said Kelly Larson, who leads Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Initiative for Global Road Safety.

Since 2007, Bloomberg Philanthropies has saved lives and reduced injuries from road traffic crashes by supporting the implementation of road safety interventions in 45 cities and provinces, advocating for stronger national road safety policies in 21 countries, and improving vehicle safety standards in four regional markets. These efforts are estimated to have saved nearly 312,000 lives.