NTSA steps up road safety checks as schools reopen
As students gear up to return to school for the delayed term-2 reopening on Monday, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has intensified road safety compliance checks on highways across the country.
In a collaborative effort with the police, the authority has launched a crackdown, seizing multiple vehicles on various roads to enforce strict adherence to road safety regulations.
Random sobriety tests are also being conducted to detect and deter drunk driving among motorists.
Highlighting the significance of these measures, a notice shared on social media under the banner “Pamoja Tuhakikishe Watoto Wetu Wamefika Shuleni Salama” (Together, Let’s Ensure Our Children Safely Reach School) emphasizes the importance of observing speed limits, maintaining lane discipline, and abstaining from driving under the influence.
In addition, the NTSA has appealed to parents and guardians to select safe and compliant vehicles to ferry children back to school.
To facilitate this, the authority has provided guidance on verifying the validity of licenses issued to drivers, school transport vehicles, and PSVs, encouraging the public to utilize the FREE NTSA Mobile Application available on the Google Play Store.
The operation, which commenced over the weekend, is slated to continue until the end of next week, with both the NTSA and the police working in close coordination to execute the operation effectively.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen reiterated the critical role of road safety, emphasizing that compliance with traffic rules, including speed limits, is paramount.
He urged school transport operators to prioritize the safety of passengers by adhering to these regulations.
President William Ruto intervened, ordering the traffic police and the NTSA to collaborate more closely to enhance road safety.
He acknowledged the historical disconnect and rivalry between the two agencies, citing it as a significant impediment to achieving desired outcomes in traffic law enforcement.
During the unveiling of the National Road Safety Action Plan 2024-28 in April, President Ruto directed the Inspector General of Police and the director general of NTSA to swiftly implement collaborative efforts to improve road safety.
He also emphasized the importance of public engagement and the active participation of road users in promoting road safety.
As part of the ongoing checkpoints, the NTSA conducted inspections on Thika Road at Jomoko, Witethie, Juja, Ruiru, and Roysambu. Among the findings, a school bus was impounded for having a faulty speed limiter and seat belts, while vehicles with expired road service licenses were also seized.
The overarching objective of the National Road Safety Action Plan 2024-28 is to halve the number of accidents on Kenyan roads, underscoring the government’s commitment to enhancing road safety for all citizens.
