BY RODNEY NGAO: Every week, families across Kenya are plunged into mourning, their loved ones suddenly stolen by the predictable tragedy of road accidents.

Reckless driving, speeding, driving under the influence, and a blatant disregard for basic traffic laws have turned our national highways into literal death traps.

Despite sporadic, reactive crackdowns by authorities, a culture of impunity persists among motorists, placing innocent lives at risk every single day.

Public Service Vehicles remain among the most egregious offenders in this crisis.

On any given route, it is common to see drivers racing one another and operating erratically to compete for passengers, treating human lives as mere variables in their daily profit margins.

Yet, the blame does not rest solely on those behind the wheel. This crisis is fueled by a deadly cocktail of systemic failures, ranging from poorly maintained road surfaces and missing signage to a severe lack of consistent, data-driven policing.

Worse still, traffic enforcement is too often compromised by institutional corruption, allowing un-roadworthy vehicles and reckless drivers back onto the tarmac for the price of a quick handout.

Road safety cannot remain a fleeting concern that only garners national attention when a horrific crash makes the evening headlines.

We must urgently move away from a cycle of temporary outrage and thoughts and prayers toward permanent, structural accountability.

Authorities must enforce traffic laws with uncompromising consistency, invest heavily in upgrading road infrastructure, and completely overhaul the driver training and licensing system.

Simultaneously, a profound cultural shift is required, where every road user takes personal responsibility for their actions. Kenyan roads should be arteries that safely connect lives and bring families together; they should never be the places where they end.