The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has launched an intensive enforcement operation targeting traffic violations across the country, with several motorists already arrested during random breathalyzer tests along major highways.
In a notice on Saturday, December 20, the NTSA announced that the crackdown is underway as the festive season intensifies, with authorities conducting random Alcoblow tests to curb drunk driving on Kenyan roads.
The agency revealed that several motorists were netted during operations along the Embu-Nairobi highway on Friday night, with some recording alarming blood alcohol levels.
Images shared by NTSA showed one driver who registered a breathalyzer reading exceeding 550.0 mg/100ml, far above the legal limit.
The authority issued a stark reminder to motorists about the dangers of driving under the influence.
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"Please remember, drink driving kills. It endangers your life and that of others," NTSA stated in its public notice.
The agency urged motorists planning to drink during the festive season to designate a sober driver or use alternative means of transport, such as taxis.
Beyond the alcoblow operations, NTSA has also turned its attention to speed limiter tampering, a practice the authority says has been on the rise during ongoing enforcement operations.
In a stern public warning, the agency reminded vehicle owners and operators that speed limiters are mandatory safety devices required by law on all public service vehicles and commercial vehicles to prevent speeding, which remains a leading cause of fatal road traffic crashes.
"Tampering with these devices is illegal, endangers the lives of passengers, pedestrians, and other road users, and undermines efforts to enhance road safety," NTSA warned.
The authority has observed an increasing number of cases of speed limiter tampering during its current operations. It has issued a strong caution to all PSV operators, drivers, and owners against disabling or interfering with these devices.
The crackdown also includes a renewed focus on lane discipline and safe overtaking practices.
The NTSA has reminded drivers to keep left at all times, unless overtaking carefully, noting that lane indiscipline and careless or dangerous overtaking are among the leading causes of head-on collisions and fatalities on Kenyan roads.
"Head-on collisions are among the most devastating crashes, often resulting in severe injuries or loss of life due to the impact," the authority stated.
