NTSA Issues Safety Checklist for PSV Drivers Ahead of Festive Season

NTSA Issues Safety Checklist for PSV Drivers Ahead of Festive Season

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has issued a comprehensive road safety checklist for public service vehicle (PSV) operators as Kenya prepares for increased travel during the festive season.

The authority is stepping up inspections and enforcement to curb speeding, drunk driving, driver fatigue and other dangerous practices linked to road crashes.

The measures are part of Operation Msimu Bila Ajali, Usalama Barabarani Campaign, launched on Monday, October 26. NTSA said the initiative involves working with law enforcement officers to improve compliance with traffic regulations and prevent avoidable deaths on Kenyan roads.

The campaign targets both daytime and nighttime travel, with officers conducting inspections along major transport corridors during periods associated with increased road safety risks.

NTSA Lists Requirements for PSV Drivers

Under the new safety checklist, officers will inspect vehicle speeds and confirm that speed limiters are functioning correctly. They will also check whether the devices continuously transmit data to the Intelligent Road Safety Management System (IRSMS), NTSA’s digital platform for monitoring road safety and compliance.

Long-distance PSV operators must produce passenger manifests, driver logs indicating driving hours, valid Road Service Licences, vehicle inspection stickers and evidence that they are operating on authorised routes.

Inspectors will also establish whether vehicles are carrying passengers within their approved capacity and observing permitted load limits.

Drivers must have valid driving licences and authentic PSV badges. The checks are intended to ensure that operators meet the requirements for transporting passengers, particularly during a period when demand for public transport typically increases.

Passengers have also been reminded to wear seatbelts throughout their journeys, while drivers may undergo breathalyser screening to detect alcohol impairment.

Drink-driving remains a major road safety concern because alcohol can affect judgement, reaction time and a driver’s ability to respond to sudden hazards.

NTSA Targets Night-Time Road Accidents

The authority has placed additional emphasis on evening and nighttime travel, warning that reduced visibility and risky driving behaviour increase the danger of fatal crashes.

Data cited in previous reports on NTSA findings indicates that the period between 7 pm and 10 pm accounts for approximately 30 per cent of crashes nationally and 26 per cent in Nairobi.

Recent analyses have also identified the period between 8 pm and 9 pm as particularly dangerous for road users.

Several factors contribute to nighttime crashes, including speeding, driver fatigue, alcohol impairment and poor visibility. Pedestrians, cyclists and boda boda riders face additional risks along poorly lit highways, where motorists may struggle to spot them early enough to avoid collisions.

The intensified inspections are therefore intended to identify unsafe vehicles and drivers before they cause crashes, while encouraging passengers and transport operators to take greater responsibility for road safety.

NTSA Warns Motorists Against Fake SMS Alerts

NTSA has also cautioned motorists to remain vigilant against fraudulent messages claiming to be official traffic violation notifications.

The authority stated that official speed violation notifications are issued exclusively through the SMS sender ID NTSA. Motorists have been advised to report suspicious messages and use the authority’s official website, www.ntsa.go.ke, for verified information and safety updates.

The warning comes as the authority continues to push for stronger measures to address the rising toll of road accidents.

Calls Grow for Stronger Road Safety Measures

The campaign follows NTSA’s appeal to President William Ruto to declare road crashes a national disaster amid growing concern over lives lost on Kenyan roads this year.

The latest measures place renewed focus on enforcement, vehicle roadworthiness and responsible driving as thousands of Kenyans prepare to travel for holidays and family gatherings.

Motorists are being urged to observe speed limits, avoid driving under the influence of alcohol, take breaks when tired and ensure their vehicles are safe before beginning long journeys.

For PSV operators, compliance with licensing, inspection and passenger safety requirements remains central to reducing preventable crashes during the festive season.

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NTSA Issues Safety Checklist for PSV Drivers Ahead of Festive Season