Fatalities linked to speeding remain a major concern in Mombasa, with county authorities estimating that excessive speed contributes to nearly half of the 80 to 90 road deaths recorded annually.
The concern has prompted the County Government of Mombasa to roll out a month-long road safety awareness campaign aimed at encouraging motorists to observe speed limits, especially as traffic volumes increase during the June tourism and conference season.
The campaign was developed with support from global health organisation Vital Strategies under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS).
County officials say the initiative seeks to tackle a persistent culture of speeding that continues to endanger motorists, pedestrians, and other road users.
Recent traffic observations show that between 20 and 27 per cent of drivers exceed prescribed speed limits, while average driving speeds have also risen in recent years.
Data from local road safety assessments indicate that pedestrians account for more than half of all road deaths in the county. Vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and users of three-wheelers, accounted for 92 per cent of recorded traffic fatalities in 2024.
Officials warn that speeding not only increases the likelihood of a crash but also significantly worsens the severity of injuries when collisions occur.
They further note that many drivers underestimate the distance required to bring a vehicle to a complete stop, particularly at higher speeds.
Speaking during the launch, Mombasa Chief Officer for Transport and Infrastructure, Ali Shariff, said speeding remains one of the leading contributors to serious crashes in the county.
“As a county, we are committed to implementing sustainable and evidence-based road safety measures that save lives. Speeding continues to be a major risk factor on our roads, and there is a need to help motorists better understand the dangers associated with driving above the speed limit,” he said.
Shariff added that the county plans to combine public education, enforcement, and road design improvements to make streets safer, particularly for pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.
Road safety experts involved in the initiative say research shows driver overconfidence remains a key factor behind speeding, with many motorists believing they can safely exceed speed limits as long as they feel in control of their vehicles.
Tsion Kiros, Vital Strategies Communication Manager for Kenya, said excessive speed is particularly dangerous because it affects both the likelihood of a crash and the severity of its outcome.
“Everyone deserves safe streets. Speeding increases the risk of crashes and makes the consequences far more severe when they occur. Public awareness campaigns, together with enforcement, are important in changing risky driving behaviour,” she said.
The campaign will run for four weeks, using television, radio, billboards, digital platforms, and public transport advertising to spread road safety messages.
Police officers are also expected to conduct community outreach activities in areas identified as high-risk for road crashes.
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