Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top

Kenya

Easycoach regrets crash, installs GPS on buses

Managing Director Azym Dossa assured that they have increased measures in their buses to ensure the safe travel of passengers/FILE

Managing Director Azym Dossa assured that they have increased measures in their buses to ensure the safe travel of passengers/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 13 – Easycoach says it regrets the fatal accident involving one of its buses at Salgaa on the Eldoret-Nakuru highway that saw four people perish and 16 others injured.

Managing Director Azym Dossa assured that they have increased measures in their buses to ensure the safe travel of passengers.

“We have inculcated strict driving etiquette among our drivers, in adherence to laid down regulations and our own stringent in-house standards. ”

“Some of the safety measures we have implemented include fitting Easycoach buses with functional Geographical Positioning Systems (GPS) controlled systems to monitor movement and speed and relay data to a manned command centre in Nairobi.

“The benefits of this particular intervention have been enormous as the information gathered by this equipment is extremely critical in unravelling what exactly transpired moments before and after the tragedy,” he explained.

He assured that they would work with the relevant government authorities as investigations into the cause of the accident take place.

He added that they will take up recommendations that will be made by the authorities at the conclusion of the investigation.

“We reiterate our commitment to road safety rules being enforced by the Kenya Police in conjunction with the National Transport and Safety Authority to mitigate accidents and loss of life on our roads.”

“We urge our customers and the entire public to maintain their calm and let competent authorities carry out investigations to find out what could have caused this accident and the attendant loss of life,” he said.

National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Chairman Lee Kinyanjui on Monday told Capital FM News that the accident was caused by the driver of the trailer who was, “free-wheeling,” at the time of the accident.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

According to Nakuru Traffic Commandant Mary Omari the bus was bound for Eldoret and the trailer was heading down opposite direction and ferrying off-cuts.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Engineer Michael Kamau has blamed reckless driving for the majority of accidents on Kenyan roads.

His ministry has proposed a raft of measures to help end the road carnage on Kenyan roads including requiring Public Service Vehicle (PSV) drivers to go for refresher driving courses.

The Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo also recently called for the banning of entertainment on PSVs in order to enable the drivers to better concentrate.

Passengers have also been encouraged to voice their concerns should they find that the driver of the PSV they’re on is driving recklessly.

Transport authorities have also resorted to suspending the licences of those bus companies whose drivers are found to be responsible for fatal road accidents but this is yet to bear results.

About The Author

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News