The Long Distance Drivers and Conductors Association (LoDCCA) has come out strongly against the government’s inaction on the use of unfit vans as 14-seater matatus, following a series of deadly accidents along the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway. The association is demanding immediate regulatory measures to address the safety risks posed by the Toyota Hiace H200 series, which it says are not meant for passenger transport and should be phased out as Public Service Vehicles (PSVs).
Deadly Accidents Prove the Point
LoDCCA’s statement comes after two tragic accidents over the weekend in which 20 people lost their lives. On Saturday, an ambulance crashed and six people died and the next day, a 14-seater Hiace H200 matatu collided head-on with another vehicle and 13 people died. Both vehicles involved were Toyota Hiace H200 series, LoDCCA says the authorities’ failure to regulate these vehicles has led to these deaths.
“This was no accident. The Hiace H200 series was designed for cargo not passengers. Its structure is weak and cannot withstand crashes, it’s a death trap when used as a matatu. Yet NTSA has allowed it to dominate public transport,” LoDCCA’s statement reads.
Call to Action: Phasing Out Unfit Vehicles
The Toyota Hiace H200 series was designed as a commercial van, mainly for cargo not passenger transport. According to LoDCCA, this makes it inherently unsafe for the purpose it’s being used for in Kenya’s public transport system. The H200’s cab-over-engine design, where the front seats sit directly above the engine, leaves the vehicle with limited crush zones in the event of a crash, offering minimal protection for the driver and passengers in frontal crashes.While the Hiace H200 has been around for years, LoDCCA wants the adoption of the newer Hiace H300 series which was launched in 2019 and has better safety features. The H300 model with a semi-bonneted layout has more occupant protection due to larger crumple zone and comes with modern safety features like Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) which includes Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) and Automatic Emergency Braking.
LoDCCA wants NTSA to ban the use of H200 series for passenger transport and replace them with safer alternatives like H300 series.
A Bigger Issue: LoDCCA Slams NTSA’s Oversight
In addition to highlighting the specific risks of Hiace H200 vans, LoDCCA has also criticized NTSA for its overall failure to regulate the safety of Kenya’s public transport sector. According to the association, the NTSA Act is not well enforced, allowing unsafe vehicles to operate without proper inspection or regulation.
LoDCCA also raised concerns over exploitation of drivers, long working hours and unrealistic targets that lead to driver fatigue, poor mental health and unsafe driving. “Graft has flourished,” the association claims, some drivers get licenses without knowledge of the Highway Code. The association also accused NTSA leadership of poor governance and nepotism that has led to delayed vehicle registration, smart licenses and number plates that take months to process.
NTSA’s Response
Despite the serious allegations, NTSA has not responded to LoDCCA’s complaints. However, the agency has launched several road safety campaigns in the recent past to reduce road fatalities and has partnered with National Police Service to crack down on unroadworthy vehicles. These campaigns have focused on ensuring vehicles meet safety standards and safe driving habits among drivers and passengers.
The Way Forward
LoDCCA’s call to action demands accountability and enforcement of safety standards. Given the statistics of road accidents in Kenya, NTSA must act fast to address not only the unsafe vehicle designs but also the broader issues in the public transport sector – from poorly trained drivers to lack of regulatory oversight.