NTSA, police begin nationwide crackdown on traffic offenders to curb accidents

Traffic police officers and officials from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) have embarked on a joint crackdown on unroadworthy vehicles and motorists who flout traffic rules across the country.

The operation that started Wednesday morning in various parts of the country seeks to reduce accident numbers in the country, including Nairobi, Machakos and Kiambu counties, where hundreds of motorists were found flouting traffic laws.

The NTSA listed some of the leading causes of accidents as speeding, lane indiscipline, overlapping, unroadworthy vehicles, and recklessness.

NTSA and police conduct safety compliance checks along the Nairobi - Mombasa highway. (NTSA Kenya)

The latest statistics from the authority show that 1,090 Kenyans have been killed in road accidents this year, surpassing last year's 1,012.

Majority of the victims were pedestrians (403), followed by motorcyclists (260), passengers (233), pillion passengers (92), drivers (84), and pedal cyclists (18).

"One life lost is one too many," said NTSA Director General George Njao after inspecting the crackdown at Kyumbi junction along Mombasa Road on Wednesday afternoon, where more than 1,000 motorists were caught drunk driving, others speeding, and many more driving uninspected vehicles.

Njao said the crackdown is not time-bound and will not exclude anyone. "We started this exercise in February as a continuous engagement with the National Police Service to provide technical support and support data retrieval to ensure road safety."

Kenya School of Government bus was among those found to be non-compliant. (NTSA Kenya)

One of the vehicles was a Kenya School of Government bus that was ferrying government officials to Konza City. It was found not to have been inspected.

Like the rest of the vehicles, its number plates were dismantled by NTSA officials, and a Sh10,000 instant fine was imposed on the driver by the traffic police before he was arraigned.

"He can now drop his passengers where they were going as he waits to appear in court. Thereafter, he will be required to book an inspection appointment and apply for a compliance certificate to get back on the road," an official explained.

Athi River Sub County Police Commander Jos Mudavadi, who participated in the operation, regretted that impunity on the road has continuously led to the loss of thousands of Kenyans' lives.

"We have managed to crack down on 1,000 vehicles. The operation is still going on. We want to sanitise our roads, and very soon the carnage on our roads will reduce. It is not an option," said the Commander.

Pedestrians must use available footbridges, walkways and other designated crossing points to ensure their safety.

This morning, several pedestrians who failed to obey traffic rules were detained.

To avoid any inconveniences, we urge pedestrians to observe traffic rules.… pic.twitter.com/3HJZfAWtNu

— NTSA KENYA (@ntsa_kenya) March 26, 2024

Earlier, 30 pedestrians who failed to observe traffic rules along Mombasa Road (GM) were detained and later charged.

The authority said the crackdown will also sensitize Kenyans to road safety.

"It's so unfortunate that we have lost many people in road accidents that can be avoided. Part of what we are trying to do here is also educate the public on what they are required to do and give them a voice. As passengers, sometimes they feel helpless, but they have a responsibility to undertake their own safety when travelling from point A to B," added Njao.

Pedestrians have been urged to use available footbridges, walkways, and other designated crossing points to ensure their safety.