Over the years, NTSA has put in effort to try and restore sanity on the Kenyan roads. They have tried working hand in hand with local Kenyan police to implement traffic rules and regulations. The main purpose for this is to try and reduce and probably eradicate loss of lives caused by fatal accidents on the Kenyan roads. Things such as buckling up your seatbelt when the car is in motion should not be a battle but how many of us buckle up unless we see the police? Several. We have put together a list of some of the most common traffic offences and the penalties.
1. A learner without the ‘L’ Sign
Graduating and getting your driving licence for the first time can be very exciting. However, as a fresh driving school graduate, you need to clearly exhibit the L’ sign at the front and rear sides of your car. Failure to do so will be eligible for a Ksh. 1000 fine. The sign is important as it allows other road users to understand that you are not a professional driver as of yet and they need to keep their distance.
2. Driving while texting or while on a call
Many drivers break this rule quite often. It is illegal in Kenya to text, or call while driving. Breaking this law attracts a fine of Ksh. 2000 when spotted by the police. Try to avoid using your phone while driving because it interferes with your concentration and you can easily cause an accident.
3. Picking and dropping passengers at undesignated areas
Most passengers get agitated when the tout refuses to drop them off wherever they want. Question is, how many people know that it is an actual traffic offence to pick and drop people off anywhere other than the bus terminal? This crime attracts a tidy sum of Ksh 3000. It was implemented to reduce the cases of passengers getting knocked down when alighting from cars.
4.PSV drivers and touts, not wearing appropriate attire and without identification badges
All drivers and touts should be in specified uniforms mostly its blue for drivers and maroon for the touts. When caught without these, they can be charged Ksh. 3000 per person. They are also required to have identification badges with their photographs at all times when operating the vehicles.
5. 3rd party insurance cover and general car insurance cover
No public service vehicle is allowed to operate without a 3rd party insurance cover that takes care of the passengers on board in case of an accident or even the passers-by that may be injured when the car veers off the road. On the other hand, all cars on the road must have a comprehensive insurance cover. Failure to which they will be charged up to Ksh. 100,000 or serve time in jail.
6. Driving license offences
You should stick to the vehicle class you trained for when driving. Failing to do so attracts a penalty of Ksh. 7000. In the event, you do not renew your expired driver’s license attracts a fine of Ksh. 1000. When you fail to produce your driver licence on demand, you will also pay a fine of Ksh. 1000. Driving a car when you do not have a driver’s license since you were never trained, will attract a fine of Ksh. 7000.
7. Unauthorised PSV driver
When as a PSV driver, you allow an unauthorised person to drive the car, you will pay a fine of up to Ksh 5000. The designated driver should always be on the steering wheel, if not the car should be packed safely somewhere. This is to prevent or minimise the number of accidents on the Kenyan roads caused by untrained personnel.
8. Traffic signs and police
Defying a police officer attracts a sum of Ksh 3000 on the spot. Overlapping and driving on the pedestrian sidewalk is punishable by paying Ksh 5000. Ignoring police communication will earn you a Ksh. 3000 fine. Refusing to stop when ordered by a police officer earns you a Ksh. 5000 levy.
9. Exceeding the recommended speed limit
Going over the speed limit by 1-5km/hr attracts a warning. From 6-10 km/hr you will be charged Ksh 500, 11-15 km/hr you will pay Ksh 5000. From 16-20km/hr will set you back at least Ksh 10,000. The imposed fines ensure that drivers do not over speed and put road users lives at risk.
Summary
Traffic rules and regulations were put in place to safeguard the safety of all road users. Breaking traffic rules doesn’t make someone a champion of any sort. Be a good citizen. Follow the rules and remember every road user’s life is valuable.