Job Losses Loom Amid Calls to Get Trucks, Tankers Off Highways

The Motorists Association has called for urgent action to address the increasing number of truck-related crashes on Kenyan highways, warning that the current situation is becoming unsustainable.
In a statement on Tuesday, August 26, the association said the growing number of truck accidents poses a grave danger to all road users.
They argue that every journey has become “a gamble with safety” and are now advocating for bold solutions.
“At this rate, let’s begin lobbying for alternative methods of cargo transportation,” the statement read. “The growing number of truck crashes on highways poses a grave danger to all other road users, turning every journey into a gamble with safety.”
The association has urged the government to consider interventions such as creating special lanes for trailers to separate them from other vehicles.
They also recommended a stronger investment in rail transport to handle most of the long-distance freight.
The group believes that without such measures, the rising number of deaths on the roads will continue,claiming lives that could be saved through smarter infrastructure planning.Their statement came after several lorry and truck accidents were reported this month alone.
In August alone, several serious incidents have been reported, highlighting the growing danger posed by heavy commercial vehicles.
One of the most tragic recent incidents occurred on the Nairobi-Namanga Highway, where a matatu collided with a lorry, killing seven people.
This crash, at Korompoi, Kitengela, adds to a series of similar collisions on major transport arteries. Another fatal accident on the same highway claimed eight lives in a matatu-lorry crash just days later.
According to a recent accident report by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), the number of crashes is linked to several factors. These include truck driver behavior, such as speeding, driver fatigue from long hours on the road, and distracted driving, all of which are made worse by tight delivery schedules and pressure from employers.
Additionally,poorly maintained trucks are a major cause of accidents. Issues like worn-out brakes, defective tires, and other mechanical problems can cause a truck to lose control, especially on steep or winding roads.
Furthermore, trucks carrying more weight than they are designed for become unstable and difficult to control. Overloaded vehicles put extra strain on their braking systems and tires, increasing the risk of a crash.