The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, impounded several vehicles and motorbikes during a nationwide crackdown.
NTSA teamed up with the National Police Service to erect roadblocks on major highways in a multiagency operation that nabbed several traffic offenders.
Many motorists were caught unaware during NTSA road safety compliance checks across several counties.
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In Nairobi, NTSA impounded several motorbikes over non-compliance issues.
Several Boda Bodas impounded during the road safety compliance checks within Nairobi County. #UsalamaBarabarani pic.twitter.com/agTwFdeCCw— NTSA KENYA (@ntsa_kenya) March 27, 2024
Similar checks were conducted along the Garissa-Nairobi highway, Embu-Nairobi road as well as in Kisii county.
The Wednesday operation came just a day after NTSA arrested dozens of pedestrians for failing to use footbridges when crossing roads.
The arrested included pedestrians caught crossing roads without using available footbridges, walkaways and designated crossing points.
"This morning, several pedestrians who failed to obey traffic rules were detained. Pedestrians must use available footbridges, walkways and other designated crossing points to ensure their safety.
"To avoid any inconveniences, we urge pedestrians to observe traffic rules," NTSA said in a statement on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.
Road deaths
The national crackdown by NTSA comes amid a rise in fatalities resulting from road accidents in the country.
Statistics released by NTSA last week showed that the number of road accidents in the country between January 1, 2024, to March 20, 2024, had risen by 7 per cent compared to a similar period last year.
According to data from NTSA, 1,026 people were killed in road accidents across the country from January to March 20, 2024.
The authority said 384 pedestrians,77 drivers, 225 passengers, 16 pedal cyclists, 242 motorcyclists, and 82 pillion passengers lost their lives in road accidents between January 1 and March 20, 2023.
NTSA attributes the deaths to a breach of road safety regulations.
The report analysis follows a spate of road accidents involving public service vehicles and school buses.
In the latest incident, at least 11 people, many of them students from Kenyatta University, lost their lives in a collision involving their bus and a trailer in Maungu on the Mombasa-Nairobi highway on March 18.
The students were heading to Mombasa on a trip from Nairobi where 42 others sustained serious injuries, with some in critical condition.
Motorists have been advised to follow at least 10 essential safety measures to avoid accidents.
