The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) will harmonize and synchronize key information of public service vehicles to tame unroadworthy vehicles operating across the country.
According to data from NTSA, Kenya has recorded an increase in the number of road fatalities, recording 4,023 deaths between January and November 2021.
The leading cause of these tragic road crashes in Kenya has been attributed to speeding, and carelessness by driving.
The agency now states that it will integrate all information on the status of Public Service Vehicles (PSV) vehicles operating on the country’s road to ensure only roadworthy vehicles carry passengers and that any passenger vehicles are placed on probation after failing safety standards will be sold to third parties.
The transport integrated management system (TIMS) will also be upgraded to create a one-stop-shop for information on PSV and other privately owned vehicles in the country.
NTSA director of registration and licensing, Engineer Christopher Wanjau has challenged the PSV operators to engage qualified drivers to help reduce road carnage warning that it will not relent on errant crew flouting traffic rules.
“We are going to link all information of psv and other vehicles to other services including transfer of ownership. Some of the booked vehicles take duplicate number plates and continue to operate, if a vehicle is booked, its next destination should be a garage and not going back to the road” said Wanjau.
The technical committee chair Dr. Alice Chesire called on PSV and other motorists to adhere to safety measures including safety belts, insurance policy, wheel balancing, and speed limits among others so as to enhance road safety.
“Every operator should take personal responsibility and observe all laid down road safety regulations to help reduce road accidents,” Dr. Alice Chesire, Technical Committee Chair.
She further indicated that NTSA has already rolled out an updated safety program for newly accredited driving schools to equip students with modern safety requirements.
At the same time, the NTSA board technical committee pledged to work with Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) concerns of PSV operators plying Mombasa- Malindi Highway on the status of the road.
The main cause for these accidents, according to the transport authority was due to lack of road signage which has contributed to about 40 percent of road accidents.
NTSA team also agreed to resolve, the delay of its online system affecting the uploading of key documents and information for vehicles, crew, instructors and trainees.
