Effectiveness of Revised Traffic Regulations on the Rate of Road Accidents along Naivasha, Nairobi Highway, Kenya

Abstract

The study investigated the effectiveness of revised traffic regulations on the rate of road accidents along Naivasha-Nairobi Highway, Kenya. In this study, only the frequency occurrence of road accidents since the revision of traffic regulation and the challenges facing the effectiveness of revised traffic regulations on the rate of road accidents were studied. Descriptive research design was used. The target population was all the motorists (public service, commercial and private vehicle operators that had used Nairobi-Naivasha Highway for 5 years and above) and accident survivors having a combined population total of 12,033. A total of 284 respondents participated. The motorist respondents were drawn through convenience sampling while accident survivors were drawn purposively.  A questionnaire was used to gather information from the motorists and accident survivors.  The results obtained from the area showed that the frequency of accidents was high before the introduction of revised traffic regulations and subsequently low after the introduction of revised traffic regulations along Naivasha-Nairobi Highway. There also appears to be significant challenges such as corruption, remuneration, lack of good political will, high cost of driving lessons as well as lack of severe punishments among others affecting the effectiveness of revised traffic regulations on the rate of road accidents in the area.  The findings from this study inform both the National and County governments of Nakuru and  Nairobi to embark on policies and structures which would ensure that the public, motorists, traffic Police, NTSA and KeNHA are able to hold joint meetings that focus on creating civil education on the revised traffic regulations so as to reduce the rate of road accidents. It also advocates for members of the public to be sensitized on the importance of observing the Revised Traffic Regulations, proper road usage and importance of road furniture among others in a bid to reduce the rate of road accidents in the country.