FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE INCIDENCES OF ROAD ACCIDENTS IN KENYA: A SURVEY OF BLACK SPOTS ALONG MOMBASA-MALABA ROAD
Mutune Peter Kasau - Master of Science in Construction Project Management, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
Prof. Eng. G. N. Mang’uriu - Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
Dr. Stephen Diang’a - Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
ABSTRACT
High morbidity, disability, mortality and economic cost and burden arising out of road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a major public concern globally and more specifically to growing economy as Kenya. The disproportionate 80 percent of all RTAs with unusually high fatality of 24.1 percent in developing countries points to a systematic failure in the management of road construction standards and safety performance and measures in Road Transport Systems. Annually Kenya experiences one of the highest fatality rates in the world at 34.4 percent that brings economic cost to 11 percent of GDP. Additionally there are over 80 accidents prone sections (black spots) on a 788 kilometres highway. This situation draws attention and calls for a change to minimise the damage. The influence of road geometrical variables on road accidents at black spots remains unclear at present. The existing road safety information is not based on scientific findings and is therefore subjective and not reliable. The aim of this study was to unravel the causes of road accidents and influence of road design and standards on incidence of road accidents and road safety with the sole objective of finding a lasting solution to road carnage in Kenya. Descriptive statistics was employed to describe factors that causes occurrence of incidence of RTA sin. Kenya Road networks with focus to black spots along Mombasa–Malaba road.The study found that that incidence of fatal road traffic accidents frequently occur mainly in the designated black spots in Kenya. It was also established that the nature of the incidence of accidents that occur within the black spot, morbidity affected the victims the most. The study established that road surface conditions greatly influence incidence of road accidents in black spots. In addition, the study established that, to a moderate extent road conditions, vision, speeding, bad breaks or tyres, and trees along the roads correlated with the factors that influence incidence of traffic road accidents. Primarily the study concluded that driving behaviours such as speeding were the major reasons associated with incidence of road traffic accident. Secondly, the study established that drivers’ personal characteristics influence incidence of road accidents. Thirdly, the study determined that road surface conditions influence incidence of road traffic accidents in black spots along Mombasa-Malaba road. The study recommended that Stakeholders in the transport and communication sector should establish a well-coordinated and funded road safety research and development programme(s) in Kenya to provide the information needed for necessary decision-making process in road safety measures. This will assist in coming up with essential stop gap measures and road improvement/rehabilitation to eliminate or reduce incidence of road traffic accidents in designated black spots in Kenya as well as other major road network.
