In a bid to enhance road safety across the nation, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has intensified its crackdown on various highways and roads across the country.
Recent statistics reveal a troubling trend in road safety. According to NTSA, 384 pedestrians have lost their lives since January 2024, emerging as the most vulnerable group among road users.
In response, the agency intensified its Usalama Barabarani sensitization campaigns, specifically targeting pedestrians.
As a result, several passengers and motorists have found themselves on the wrong side of the law.
Reasons Behind NTSA Arrests
Here are five key reasons behind the arrests:
Illegal Road Usage: One of the primary reasons for arrests stems from illegal road usage. NTSA has highlighted offenses such as driving on pavements, pedestrian walkways, and unauthorized bus stops. Offenders face penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment, depending on the severity and recurrence of the offense. This crackdown aims to deter motorists from endangering pedestrians and flouting traffic regulations.
Non-compliance of PSV Regulations: Another reason for arrests is the non-compliance of Public Service Vehicle (PSV) regulations. For instance, alighting or boarding from undesignated stops can incur instant fines, while school transport vehicles must meet specific requirements such as possessing a valid Road Service License, inspection certificate, functional speed limiter, and valid vehicle insurance. Drivers must also hold the requisite driver’s license endorsement and a valid PSV badge. In Kericho County, NTSA managed to nab a school van belonging to Kaizen Academy that was found operating with a defective speed limiter.
Also Read: NTSA Lists Conditions for School Buses as Crackdown Intensifies
Pedestrian Offenses: NTSA’s crackdown also targets pedestrian offenses, such as crossing the road while traffic lights are red or while talking on a mobile phone. Violators face fines, contributing to efforts to enhance pedestrian safety and reduce accidents caused by negligent behavior.
Infrastructure Challenges: Challenges related to infrastructure, such as footbridges, also contribute to arrests. Despite the availability of footbridges, pedestrians often refrain from using them due to safety concerns, including escalators, roofs, and bicycle gutters. On March 27, NTSA arrested 30 pedestrians who failed to observe traffic rules along Mombasa Road (GM).
Vehicle Modification and Overloading: NTSA’s crackdown extends to vehicles found operating with modifications or unauthorized lights, as well as those registered as commercial but lacking inspection certificates. Additionally, excess passengers in vehicles during road safety compliance checks face detention. Last evening in Thika, Kiambu County, NTSA arrested and detained excess passengers that had boarded a Super Metro bus. In a separate incident, NTSA managed to impound a 14-seater PSV that was found carrying 31 students from Tharaka Nithi County.
Traffic Fines for Various Offences
For instance, fines for various offenses are outlined as follows:
- Driving on pavements or pedestrian walkways can result in imprisonment for up to three months or a fine of up to thirty thousand shillings for a first conviction. Subsequent convictions may lead to imprisonment for up to six months.
- Alighting or boarding from undesignated stops, similar to PSV drivers, can incur an instant fine of Ksh. 1,000.
- Restrictions on riding bicycles include fines not exceeding two thousand shillings for carrying more than one passenger or carrying a load likely to be a danger to others on the road.
- Pedestrian offenses such as crossing the road while traffic lights are red may result in a fine of KSh10,000.00, while crossing while talking on a mobile phone incurs a fine of KSh 500.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist, as revealed by data from the Draft National Road Safety Action Plan 2023-2027.
Also Read: Drama as NTSA Impounds 14-Seater Matatu Carrying 31 Students
Video data collected from 38 blackspot locations in Nairobi indicates that only 24% of pedestrians use designated crosswalks when available.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 1.35 million people die every year on the world’s roads, and another up to 50 million sustain non-fatal injuries as a result of road traffic crashes.
They are the leading cause of death for people aged 5–29 years and place an immense socio-economic burden on societies around the world.
