Kim Okowa

Let’s Stop Road Crash The World Day of Remembrance of Road Crash Victims is on every third Sunday of November. Initiated by road victims in 1993 and adopted by the UN on October 26, 2005, this day is dedicated to commemorating the many millions who were killed and injured in road crashes, and the loss and tragedy suffered by their families. The World Health Organization released the Global Status Report on Road Safety 2015 that indicated every year; 1.25 million people die from traffic crashes. Kenya accounts for an estimated 12,891 of those deaths. While the government dedicates significant resources to addressing terror threats in Kenya, it is clear that the victims of road crashes are far greater in number and as such, there is need to improve road safety. In Kenya, we have the chance to address the high rates of injuries and fatalities from road crashes through the traffic Bill 2014, which aims to reduce speeds around schools so that children stop risking their lives getting to school. The Traffic Amendment Bill seeks to protect children by following this guide for roads near schools throughout Kenya. As Prof Ian Robert explains, an accident is an event without an apparent cause. However, when used in the context of child road deaths, the team accident could not be more inappropriate since more is known about when, where and why a child pedestrian-motor vehicle collision occurs. We have the information and the answer to stop our children from dying, and that is lowering of speeds around schools. If we are aware of the reason and have the powers to stop it, then should we still regard a child dying on Kenya's road an accident? As per the Global Status Report on RoadSafety 2015, the leading cause of death among people of ages 15 to 29 years in 2012 was road crashes. The Traffic Bill 2014 remains a major tool in mitigating road crash related deaths and disabilities among children We have mistakenly become accustomed to referring to road crashes as road accidents yet these terms are not interchangeable, they are uniquely diverse. It is understandable that various collisions occur without intent. However, it is mortifying that the term accident is acceptable as the standard term for all collisions, including cases where the driver speeds off, fully aware of the extent of the damage she or he caused. In remembrance of the road crash victims, I call upon brethren and countrymen to adopt the use of appropriate terminology that neither demeans the devastation caused by crashes nor excuse any culpable behaviour by any road user. Rather, embrace the terminology that does not contribute to the discrimination against road crash victims but instead promotes accountability and an evidence-based approach. To Members of Parliament, members of the press, law enforcement, health professionals, the emergency services and all others, I call on you to support the Traffic Bill 2014. This legislation actively seeks to protect children as vulnerable road users. Dr Kevin Watkins once said, " Death and injury on the world's roads are arguably the only most undervalued human development challenge. The road traffic injury epidemic assists to explain the neglect. While child deaths say from malaria, are viewed as avoidable catastrophes that can be stopped through government action, road traffic injuries and deaths are widely perceived as 'accidents' unpredictable events occurring on a casual basis to people who have the disadvantage to be in the wrong place at the wrong time". The time to act is now, and we can, therefore, join our hands to help Kenyan children.