The Matatu Motor Owners Association (MOA) has launched a campaign to raise awareness of road safety rules among public service vehicle (PSV) drivers. The campaign will run from December 20, 2022 to January 31, 2023, and will also take place during the back-to-school period.
MOA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Patricia Mutheui, who launched the campaign at Green Park Terminus in Nairobi, said the campaign was primarily aimed at curbing fatal road accidents.
A campaign called “Slow Down and Enjoy the Holidays” in partnership with the National Transportation and Safety Administration (NTSA), the National Police Service and other road safety organizations.
Ms Museu said the association would welcome the public to pick honor drivers, honor conductors, honor national drivers and conductors for the region.
Members of the public will participate in the campaign by voting through the association’s short code 40233.
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“We encourage our road users to vote for the most capable via short codes. In fact, it’s a great incentive,” Ms Mutheu said, explaining that winning categories will also be included regionally and nationally Win matatu saccos.
At the same time, the public is asked to refrain from taking action against well-behaved matatu crew in terms of discipline, courtesy, manners, decorum and respect.
“Anyone who provides excellent customer service will be rewarded,” Ms Mutheu said.
At the end of the event, the association will assess its matatu saccos based on public comments, including clean vehicles, vehicles using designated pick-up points, uniformed staff and strict adherence to capacity.
Ms Mutheu said the association could not carry out its road safety program without the help of government and private stakeholders.
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Martin Eshiwani, Director of Road Transport Services at the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, applauded the association’s initiative and said the ministry would fully support them.
“Road safety is a major challenge. We lose a lot of people every year due to careless driving, speeding, careless overtaking,” Mr Eshiwani said.
Nairobi County CBD Operations Commander David Apima, who represented the National Police during the event, urged drivers to stop tampering with the speed limiter.
“There’s a button that they usually press when they don’t see the traffic police around and they’re driving at high speed,” Mr Apima said.
Police also asked passengers not to board vehicles that were already full.
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