A viral video shared widely on Sunday, June 4, of an intoxicated motorist driving recklessly elicited debate on the danger posed to other road users.
In the video shared on aTikTok Live, motorists pinned down the drunk driver, forcing him to stop.
This was after they alighted from their vehicles and approached the intoxicated driver inside a government vehicle.
Some of them questioned why the driver was driving under the influence of a substance yet carrying passengers and, in essence, endangering the lives of other road users. In particular, they alerted the driver that he was close to knocking down children crossing the road.
In his defence, the driver claimed he was driving slowly and was not at fault. However, the angry crowd seized his keys from the ignition and ordered him out of the car.
"Why are you carrying passengers while intoxicated?" the agitated crowd questioned.
While shouting at the driver, who sought forgiveness, one of the motorists parked the vehicle at a safe location while threatening to report the incident to the nearby police station.
According to the latest data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), at least 974 fatalities were recorded from January 2023 to March 20, 2023 - indicating a 4.6 per cent drop compared to last year's record.
The statistics comprised 330 passengers, 265 motorcyclists, 171 passengers, 98 drivers, 93 pillion passengers and 17 pedal cyclists.
Further, NTSA proposed stiffer penalties for motorists caught under the influence. According to the Traffic (Drunk Driving) Rules, 2023, they would pay a fine not exceeding Ksh100,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.
In addition, the driving license would be suspended for six months. This law only applies to drivers of public service vehicles, commercial service vehicles, or school transport service vehicles.
Drivers inside private vehicles face a six-month suspension if convicted for traffic offences more than once a year.
