NTSA luanch crackdown over safety operation / HANDOUT

Twenty-one drivers have been arrested following a joint inter-agency night safety operation along the Kakamega-Mumias Road.

The operation exposed several road safety violations, including driving under the influence of alcohol, operating vehicles without valid driving licences and using expired Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badges.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) said other violations involved vehicles with cracked windscreens, worn-out tyres, expired inspection certificates and invalid insurance certificates.

Some motorists were also found using unprescribed vehicle registration plates.

The arrests come as NTSA intensifies road safety enforcement through its festive season campaign dubbed Msimu Bila Ajali, Usalama Barabarani , targeting risky driving behaviours and seeking to prevent road crashes.

The authority said the campaign involves sensitising drivers and passengers, alongside day and night safety checks along major transport corridors.

NTSA said night operations had been prioritised because evening and late-night hours are statistically among the deadliest periods on Kenyan roads.

"By allocating additional resources during these high-risk hours, we can maximise efforts to disrupt the critical risk factors that cause preventable road traffic crashes," the authority said.

The safety checks also target speeding, the functionality of vehicle speed limiters and compliance with passenger capacity requirements.

Long-distance public transport operators are required to produce passenger manifests, driver logs, valid Road Service Licences and inspection certificates, among other documents.

Drivers are also subjected to verification of their driving licences and PSV badges, while breathalyser tests are conducted to identify motorists driving under the influence of alcohol.

NTSA further urged passengers to wear seatbelts throughout their journeys, warning that failure to do so increases the risk of serious injuries or death in the event of a crash.

The authority cautioned motorists against falling victim to fraudulent speed violation notifications, saying official alerts are issued exclusively through SMS sender ID NTSA.

It also urged vehicle owners to ensure their speed limiters are functional and continuously transmit data to the Intelligent Road Safety Management System (IRSMS).

As part of the enforcement measures, motorists were asked to slow down when approaching designated checkpoints and cooperate with law enforcement officers.

NTSA also advised motorists travelling at night to reduce their speed, maintain safe following distances and remain attentive, noting that darkness significantly reduces visibility.