NTSA rolls out SMS alerts for drivers violating speed limits on City roads
By Lucy Mumbi |
The SMS notifications included several key details: the vehicle’s registration number, the time of the offence, the speed at which the vehicle was travelling, the road where the violation occurred
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) is currently testing a new system that alerts speeding motorists via SMS when they exceed speed limits.
The system, still in its pilot phase, has begun sending notifications to drivers after they violate speed regulations, with details of the offence.
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Multiple motorists took to social media on Wednesday, sharing their experiences of receiving SMS alerts shortly after passing through various roads in Nairobi, including Red Hill Road and the Southern Bypass.
The messages, sent by NTSA, informed them of their violation of Section 42(1) of the Traffic Act, which stipulates that "no person shall drive, or, being the owner or person in charge of a vehicle, cause or permit any other person to drive, a vehicle on a road at a speed greater than such speed as may be prescribed as the maximum speed for that class of vehicle."
The SMS notifications included several key details: the vehicle’s registration number, the time of the offence, the speed at which the vehicle was travelling, the road where the violation occurred, and the name of the vehicle’s registered owner.
One of the messages received by a motorist read, "Your vehicle Reg X was captured driving at a speed of 54kph exceeding the speed limit of 50kph on RedHill road on 2024-11-27 at 10:39:17. Slow down, fika salama."
Despite being in its early stages, the digital speed notification system is expected to assist NTSA in effectively monitoring and penalising speeding violations.
The system aligns with NTSA’s broader plan to reduce road traffic fatalities, part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As part of this plan, NTSA has introduced speed zones, including 30 km/h zones in areas such as villages, school zones, and commercial areas, where pedestrian and cyclist accidents are more likely. Additionally, 50 km/h zones have been set up in areas prone to side-impact collisions, such as busy intersections.
The launch of the digital notification system comes at a time when President William Ruto is pushing for the modernisation of government services.
On Thursday, Ruto issued a warning to directors of key agencies that have been slow to adopt digital systems. He gave 34 agencies one week to integrate their services into the e-itizen platform, threatening consequences for those who failed to comply.
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