Embu University Students Unveil Digitised Project to Reduce School Bus Accidents.
On May 12, a group of students from Embu University presented a beta version of their digitized project that aims to reduce road accidents, particularly at sharp bends on major roads.
The students explained that the system uses digital sensors to detect when a vehicle is approaching a sharp bend, automatically turning on a light on the opposite corner to alert the driver on the other side of approaching traffic.
By doing so, the system aims to reduce the number of accidents that occur on sharp bends in the road.
“There are sharp corners, in some of our roads. With this system, we are trying to reduce accidents,” one of the students behind the technology explained.
The students noted that the system will encourage motorists to slow down when approaching sharp bends, as it will alert them to the presence of oncoming traffic.
However, the students lamented that their efforts to secure funding to implement the system have so far been unsuccessful.
Their project was among those showcased at an innovation fair held in Nyeri County. Other projects showcased at the fair included solar-powered vehicles and agricultural innovations.
The event provided a platform for the students to showcase their project to potential investors and stakeholders in the transport sector.
According to data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), there were at least 1,072 road fatalities in the first quarter of 2023, with a significant number of them occurring on sharp bends.
To address this issue, Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced several measures aimed at improving road safety, especially for school buses.
These measures include a crackdown on all unroadworthy vehicles across the country and mandatory inspections to identify and apprehend culprits.
Beginning July 1, 2023, motorists will be required to undergo fitness tests, including eye and hearing tests, conducted by recognized medical officers.
“My Ministry is working collaboratively with other government agencies and stakeholders in the transport sector to put in place stringent measures that will enhance road safety and save lives,” he assured.
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Murkomen also advised members of the public to be cautious while on the road, urging passengers to demand seat belts when boarding public transport and to report reckless drivers to the police.
The CS’s measures, combined with the efforts of innovative students like those from Embu University, could help reduce the number of road accidents in Kenya and save lives.
Suicidal mission
This comes as CS Murkomen placed blame on the driver for the tragic road accident that resulted in the death of six students in Naivasha, Kenya.
Murkomen accused the driver of being on a suicidal mission and stated that the accident could have been avoided if the driver had not overlapped.
The accident occurred on April 18th along the Nakuru-Naivasha Highway, and involved a matatu carrying students from Western Kenya to Nairobi and a lorry.
According to Murkomen, the driver was reckless and knowingly put the lives of the students in danger by continuously overlapping despite being aware of the traffic.
He also accused the driver of taking advantage of the students’ inability to speak out against his dangerous behavior.
Murkomen’s comments were made during a press conference on Friday, where he urged Kenyans to take responsibility for their safety on the road and hold errant drivers accountable for their actions.
The accident resulted in the deaths of six students who died on the spot, while seven other people sustained injuries and were rushed to Naivasha County Hospital for treatment.
The tragedy has once again raised concerns about road safety in Kenya and the need for stricter regulations to ensure the safety of passengers.
Road accidents are a major problem in Kenya, with thousands of people losing their lives or getting injured on the country’s roads every year.
The government has introduced several measures to curb road accidents, including the introduction of speed limits and the implementation of random breathalyzer tests to deter drunk driving.
Despite these efforts, road accidents continue to be a major challenge in Kenya, with many accidents being caused by reckless driving, overloading, and poor road conditions.
There is a need for increased public awareness about road safety and for stronger enforcement of existing traffic laws to reduce the number of road accidents in the country.
Embu University Students Unveil Digitised Project to Reduce School Bus Accidents
Embu University Students Unveil Digitised Project to Reduce School Bus Accidents.
