The National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) has enhanced surveillance measures to ensure road safety as Kenyans warm into the festive season.
In a joint statement with the National Police Service (NPS) issued on Tuesday, December 22, 2020, NTSA urged members of the public to obey traffic laws to avoid accidents during this period.
"As the Agencies mandated with the responsibilities related to the enforcement on the Traffic Act and Road Safety Management, we acknowledge the devastating effects of road traffic damage in our country.
"Analysis of the crashes continue to point at common road traffic offences such as drinking and driving, overloading, speeding, driver fatigue, use of unroadworthy vehicles, dangerous overtaking, lack of proper discipline, freewheeling among other human controllable factors," the statement by the agencies reads in part.
The agencies stated that they had made attempts at educating the general public on road safety measures through the Usalama Barabarani Programme and Road Safety Mainstreaming in the public sector, since the beginning of 2020.
However, despite the interventions, road accidents went up by 9.4 per cent this year, with 3,663 people succumbing to road accidents as of December 13, 2020.
"As the festivities begin, we urge all road users to take precaution towards their own safety. On its part the government will continue with the nationwide law enforcement operations," NTSA urged.
The agencies stated that they will increase highway and air patrol to ensure adherence to traffic rules, assuring to employ other stringent measures targetting drivers in getting them to comply with various laws and regulations.
NTSA and NPS issued four measures that will be employed in ensuring safety:
Fleet Speed Monitoring: NTSA will monitor the fleet data of PSVs. Any vehicle driven beyond the stipulated time limit will be impounded and a prohibition order issued. The owner and the driver of the vehicle will be charged in line with the Traffic Act.
Random Driver Checks: There shall be impromptu checks along major highways.
Licence Validity Verification: All motorist must ensure that their licences are valid. Other documents that will be verified for validity include; PSV licences and Road Service Licenses (RSL) for public vehicles and Motor Vehicle Inspection certificates for PSV and heavy commercial vehicles.
Rout Compliance/ Short Term Licence and Night Travel Licence: PSV operators should only ply within their licenced routes. Those who will fail to comply with the terms and conditions of the licences shall have the RSL suspended.
The agencies urged Kenyans to plan adequately for their journey, and be vigilant on the roads. They also urged members of the public to speak up against reckless driving and contact NPS hotlines 999 and 112 if there be need.
