Thousands of motorists across the country will now face tougher penalties for breaking traffic rules after the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) rolled out a new enforcement system targeting minor traffic offences.
The framework, which took effect on June 1, allows authorities to issue fines for certain offences without requiring offenders to appear in court immediately. Instead, motorists may receive penalty notifications once evidence of an offence has been collected.
Penalties for violations under the newly enacted rules will involve fines as high as Ksh10,000. Fines that drivers will receive for operating vehicles without the right license plates, without valid inspection, creating an obstruction on the road, operating PSVs without licensed drivers, and installing a speed governor in commercial and PSVs will all amount to the Ksh10,000 fine.
Fines for motorists who will be caught speeding in their private motor vehicles will cost them more than before. Fines that will be imposed on those caught operating cars at speeds exceeding 16km to 20km above what is prescribed by law in the country will attract fines as high as Ksh10,000.
The Ksh3,000 penalty will apply on motorists operating their vehicles within speeds between 11km and 15km over the speed limits while those operating at less than six kilometers per hour will attract a Ksh500 fine.
Other traffic penalties under the new set include punishments for some common traffic offences that happen every day in Kenya.
Using pavement as well as walking paths or pedestrian walkways is considered an offence punishable with a fine of Ksh5,000. Failure to stop your car whenever instructed to do so by the traffic police officer will cost Ksh5,000. Ignoring traffic signals will be punishable with a fine worth Ksh3,000.
Driving cars without the necessary endorsements on the driving license attracts a fine worth Ksh3,000. Failure to renew driving licenses in good time attracts Ksh1,000, just like failing to present a driving license when requested to do so.
PSV drivers will also not escape strict enforcement. Those who do not wear badges and uniforms as per the set law face a Ksh2,000 fine. On the other hand, touting attracts a fine of Ksh3,000.
Moreover, owners of vehicles that do not have seat belts as per the law are subject to a fine of Ksh1,000 per seat not adhering to the rule. Both drivers and passengers who travel without seat belts face fines of Ksh500.
These fines follow the announcement by the NTSA of the adoption of an advanced enforcement process in collaboration with several government agencies. According to the body, this process was adopted with the aim of encouraging adherence to traffic laws and improving road safety, among others.
It is reported that the offences will be detected during regular police patrols and other technological mechanisms like traffic cameras, among others.
The introduction of this advanced system reflects the trend in traffic enforcement with more emphasis being placed on the use of technological advances in detecting and correcting violations of traffic regulations.
