Safari Njema Sept 2017 Safari_Njema_Sept | Page 7

by the Numbers Road fatalities decrease this year, pedestrians still most vulnerable road users By Lilian Okwili R oad fatalities have gone down by 7.1 percent as at 28th August this year compared to the same period last year. According to statistics from the National Transport and Safety Authority, 1870 people died between 1st January and 28th August this year compared to 2,014 fatalities recorded in similar period last year. Pedestrians are account for the highest number of road fatalities with 703 death this year representing a decline of 47 fatalities compared to 750 recorded in 2016. Passengers account for the second most vulnerable group in road fatalities recording 465 fatalities, a drop of 30 deaths from what recorded in similar period last year. Motorcyclists are the third highest with 313 fatalities compared to 346 recorded last year while 36 pedal cyclist died this year unlike 47 fatalities in 2016. The number of death of drivers reduced from 232 last year to 207 which was a great improvement of 10.8 percent in reduced fatalities. Pillion passengers recorded the lowest number of fatalities at 146, two less deaths from what was recorded previous year. Comparative statistics trends for 2016 and 2017 as at 31 st August 2017 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 756 705 PEDESTRIANS 236 208 DRIVERS 502 479 PASSENGERS 145 148 PILLION PASS 48 36 PEDAL CYC 351 317 M/CYCLISTS Classes of victims 1 JAN - 31 AUGUST 2016 TOTAL: 2,038 1 JAN - 31 AUGUST 2017 TOTAL: 1,893 September 2017 7