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{
"id": 510155,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/510155/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. (Prof.) Nyikal",
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"speaker": {
"id": 434,
"legal_name": "James Nyikal",
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"content": "As other Members have said, when we design roads, we design them for motorists only. We do not realise that many other people use the roads. There are pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. We should take this opportunity to realise that when roads are done, whether they are in towns or highways, we should take care of all these and put footpaths for pedestrians. We should also put motor bicycle lanes, so that everybody is catered for. That will to a very large extent increase the safety that is required not only for the children, but for everybody. At the same time, we must put all the required safety measures on the roads, namely, the bumps, rumble strips and the signs. We should also mark the lanes. It makes a huge difference if you travel on a road which is properly marked and one that is not marked at all. I do not think it costs much more and yet it will contribute to a very large extent to road safety. We have noticed that even within town, we have traffic lights, but we do not know whether these traffic lights are still being used. I know that Traffic Police officers help in the flow of traffic, but there should be some synchrony between the police directing the traffic and the traffic lights. Most Kenyans, at least, in this City, have forgotten the traffic light rules. That is something that we need to look at. The other important thing is the education of the public. If you look at how we use our roads, even pedestrians do not follow traffic rules. Worst of all, are our drivers. At one time, we attempted to enforce the provision that drivers should be retrained. When we renew licences, there should be some test because if you look at many drivers driving in front of you, it is clear that they do not know the traffic rules at all. People have argued in the past that it will probably just be another way of enhancing corruption. We have reached a time that we need to look at people who have driving licences. We really need to retest many people. I know this is a brave thing to say, but seeing what is happening, we need to do something. The focus on schools in this Bill is extremely commendable. Focusing on speeds, roads, road signs, bumps and rumble strips around schools and other learning institutions is extremely appropriate. That has been canvassed a lot by other Members. However, there is one more point that I would like to bring about particularly in this City and other towns. This basically touches on the physical planning in towns. Many of you may have realised that when schools are closed, the traffic congestion is much reduced. This means that when we plan our residential areas, we do not plan with schools in mind. I do not see why, if we have planning departments, we should have schools near highways or main roads. Schools, to a large extent, should be within residential areas. It is quite easy to plan that an estate of this size will definitely need a school and have the schools there. We do not even need to have school buses. If we planned our residential areas and have schools to serve them, then we do not need to transport the children. In many parts of the world, you do not see buses except in the United States of America, The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}