The late John Michuki will be remembered for introducing the public transportation reforms in February 2004 when he served as Transport minister. The Importance of wearing seatbelts cannot be underestimated. While seat belts have become important in recent times and have been built into new cars, it is rather shocking that most Kenyans don’t wear seat belts.
Despite the marvelous work of seat belts, most Kenya’s simply don’t wear their seat belt. It is no wonder the alarming rate of road accidents in Kenya. So why is it that most Kenyans don’t wear seat belts and simply expose themselves to road hazards?
- Lack of Education on the Importance of Seat belts
There have been a lot of awareness about road safety, but few awareness has been put in when it comes to doing the things that will enable road safety to reign things such as wearing of seat belts.
There should be more awareness and education on key causes of road accidents death like over speeding, reckless driving and failure to wear seat belts. This will enable most Kenyans to be safety conscious and put on their seat belt!
- People Don’t Feel Comfortable When they Buckle Seat Belts
11:39 @ntsa_kenya #KenyanTraffic Route 29/30 bus No. KCG 145R, this is the front passenger seat, a school bag strap for safety belt. Bora mshipi. pic.twitter.com/bvmOfP9JvS via @walshingtone
— KenyanTraffic (@KenyanTraffic) November 20, 2018
Most Kenyans just want to feel comfortable. But you don’t want to feel comfortable at the expense of your safety. Failing to put on your seat belt because you want to feel comfortable will simply expose you to serious fractures and multiple injuries when you’re being caught up in a road accident.
Forget about feeling comfort and put on your seat belt! You don’t want to sustain either deep nor multiple fractures so you have to practice wearing your seat belts always.
- Poor Law Enforcement
I must admit the matatu crackdown was worth it. I boarded a Kenya Mpya and the driver fastened his safety belt IMPRESSIVE!!
— Wachera (@NiWachera) November 28, 2018
Police officials will arrest drivers who fail to wear their seat belts, but what about the passengers? Ideally, the passengers should also be arrested for not wearing their seat belt? This will ensure that both drivers and passengers put on their seat belt to ensure safety on the road.
The police officials should also desist from the practice of taking small bribes from drivers when they see them not putting their seat belts as well their passengers. Drivers are responsible for the live of the passengers so drivers should ensure that their passengers put on seat belts.