The Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP), through the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety, has donated specialized road safety enforcement equipment to the Mombasa County Government through its Road Safety Initiative and the National Police Service Traffic Enforcement Unit to strengthen the enforcement of driving under the influence (DUI) laws.
The donation forms part of GRSP’s ongoing efforts to build the capacity of traffic police officers and other road safety stakeholders in addressing major road safety risk factors, particularly drunk driving and speeding.
The equipment will support an upcoming DUI enforcement training programme, where officers will undergo both theoretical and practical sessions before the devices are deployed for routine roadside enforcement operations.
The donated equipment includes 40 Dräger Alcotest 7000 Standard units for breath alcohol testing and 20 Dräger Mobile Printer BT units for printing test results. GRSP also handed over 20 traffic cones and 20 warning lights to enhance traffic management and improve the safety of roadside sobriety checkpoints.
According to GRSP, the initiative is being implemented under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety and contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3.6, which aims to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries, and SDG 11.2, which promotes safe, accessible and sustainable transport systems.
Vipul Patel, Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) Initiative Coordinator, said:
"Effective enforcement is one of the most proven interventions for reducing road traffic deaths and injuries. By equipping law enforcement officers with modern drink-driving enforcement tools and strengthening their capacity to use them effectively, we are supporting evidence-based policing that helps save lives. “
Adding “This equipment handover demonstrates our continued commitment, together with the National Police Service and our partners, to building safer roads and advancing Kenya's road safety goals under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety."
The equipment is expected to enhance the operational capacity of the National Police Service Traffic Enforcement Unit and support the Mombasa County Government’s Road Safety Initiative in tackling alcohol-impaired driving, improving evidence-based enforcement, and ultimately reducing road crashes and fatalities.
The partnership underscores the importance of collaboration between national and county governments and international road safety partners in promoting safer roads and protecting the lives of all road users.
