In preparation for the upcoming holiday travel season, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), has rolled-out day-and-night enforcement along primary transit routes.

The initiative aims to enhance compliance and eliminate critical road violations such as drunk driving, speeding and vehicle overload.

Conducted in partnership with law enforcement, the “Msimu Bila Ajali, Usalama Barabarani “initiative incorporates both regulatory checks and public sensitization for commuters and drivers alike.

The Transport Authority confirmed, Wednesday, that evening and late-night shifts will receive intensified focus, due to the elevated crash risks associated with night time travel.

Highlighting night time travel as the deadliest window for road users, the Authority explained that late night patrols are critical to saving lives with the extra enforcement designed to crack down on dangerous driving habits that lead to avoidable accidents, while pushing motorists to obey traffic rules.

During the crackdown, officers will use real time speed monitoring, while inspecting speed limiters to verify they are active and streaming live data to the Intelligent Road Safety Management System (IRSMS).

Cautioning the public against potential scams, NTSA urged motorists to ignore fraudulent speed violation texts.

The Authority emphasized that authentic alerts are transmitted solely through the official SMS sender ID NTSA.

Public Service Vehicles and long-distance transport operators are high-priority targets in the crackdown. Officers will verify driver logs, passenger manifests, route permits and inspection stickers, to confirm that operators follow daily driving limits and meet mandatory safety regulations.

Compliance checks will include the validation of driver’s licenses and PSV badges, as well as the enforcement of maximum passenger and cargo weight allowances.

Officers will also deploy breathalyzers to identify and prosecute drivers operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol.

Reminding commuters to prioritize safety, NTSA called on passengers to wear seatbelts throughout their journey, emphasizing that buckling-up prevents passengers from being thrown out of vehicles during impact and drastically lowers the risk of death or serious injury.

Motorists have also been asked to slow down at checkpoints and cooperate with officers. Night drivers have further been urged to reduce speed, increase follow distance, and stay fully focused to navigate low-visibility conditions safely.

The initiative reinforces NTSA’s ongoing festive season operations, by combining active roadside checks, digital fleet tracking and driver training, to improve road safety across the country.

With travel activity rapidly rising ahead of the holidays, the Authority emphasized that enforced checks alone could not eliminate crashes and therefore, called on motorists, passengers and pedestrians to take personal responsibility for their safety and protect fellow road users throughout the festive period.

By Hellen Lunalo