Mobility service provider AA-Kenya targets Nakuru young drivers in road safety campaign
Instructor flags off a competitor during the Best Young Driver (BYD) competition
Automobile Association (AA) Kenya has intensified its road safety campaign Nakuru by focusing on young drivers’ habits on the road.
The initiative dubbed Best Young Driver (BYD) competition seeks to reduce the growing number of road crashes involving young people by promoting responsible driving habits among them
The event, held in Nakuru, brought together university and TVET students, experienced motorists, police officers, military personnel, Kenya Wildlife Service officers and other road users in a practical demonstration of defensive driving skills and road safety awareness.
Speaking during the event, AA Kenya Group Managing Director Francis Theuri says the initiative is part of a global movement that seeks to nurture a culture of road safety among young people before dangerous driving habits become entrenched.
"We continue to lose far too many young Kenyans on our roads, whether they are driving private vehicles, riding motorcycles or simply travelling. We believe that by targeting young people early, they can become ambassadors of road safety within their communities," says Theuri.
AA Kenya Group Managing Director Francis Theuri during the Best Young Driver (BYD) competition
He notes that road safety goes beyond learning how to operate a vehicle, stressing that motorists must continuously improve their driving behaviour and remain alert on the road. According to him, many drivers were trained years ago but have rarely refreshed their knowledge on safe road use.
To reinforce these lessons, participants tackled a series of practical driving challenges including slalom driving, reverse parking, three-point turns, navigating confined parking spaces, safely using roundabouts and reversing through obstacles. The exercises were designed to sharpen motorists' decision-making skills and improve their confidence in handling everyday road situations safely.
Theuri observes that responsible driving is not about speed but about making sound decisions that protect the lives of drivers, passengers and pedestrians. He called on all road users to work together in reducing road crashes by adopting safer driving habits.
AA Kenya Director of Business and Channels Daniel Kiprono says the competition specifically targets young people aged between 18 and 35 years, a demographic that continues to account for a significant proportion of road traffic fatalities.
He explains that winners from the Nakuru regional competition will advance to the national championships in Nairobi before the overall champions represent Kenya at the African Best Young Driver Competition in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Kiprono adds that the programme has attracted support from institutions of higher learning, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), traffic police and other stakeholders who share the common goal of improving road safety across the country.