Police get digital gadgets for road licence checks

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This follows the handing over of 200 specialised digital scanners and communication gadgets to the traffic police department by the National Transport and Safety Authority(NTA) together with other equipment worth Sh165.2 million.
The handover follows a presidential decree that outlawed NTSA’s enforcement department, leaving the task to the police.
Inspector General Joseph Boinnet welcomed the new equipment saying police will intensify patrols as well as surveillance across Kenya to improve motoring and reduce accidents associated with speeding and drank driving.

Police will now confirm the authenticity of drivers’ licences, motor inspection records and insurance through a hand-held digital gadgets in a fresh fight against road carnage.

This follows the handing over of 200 specialised digital scanners and communication gadgets to the traffic police department by the National Transport and Safety Authority(NTA) together with other equipment worth Sh165.2 million.

Speaking in Nairobi, NTSA Director General Francis Meja said traffic officers will securely access NTSA’s database to verify ownership details of a motor vehicle, its inspection status, motorist’s and conductor’s licence status as well as motorcycles’ ownership details and riding licences from anywhere in Kenya.

“Driving licences, a driver’s PSV and conductor’s PSV certificates, night travel certificates, Sacco licence, e-stickers and smart stickers will be scanned and verified realtime. This will enable traffic officers to enforce road regulations thereby making Kenyan roads safer,” he said.

Other equipment handed over included alcoblow gadgets(70) and 105,600 straws, 700cc BMW motorcycles (12) with a 240kliometre per hour speed as well as 70 speed guns where 30 have night vision capabilities.

The handover follows a presidential decree that outlawed NTSA’s enforcement department, leaving the task to the police.

Inspector General Joseph Boinnet welcomed the new equipment saying police will intensify patrols as well as surveillance across Kenya to improve motoring and reduce accidents associated with speeding and drank driving.

“Helmets are meant to be worn by riders and their pinion passengers. Many deaths and numerous serious injuries have been suffered associated with failure to don helmets,’ he said.

NTSA Board Chairman Jackson Waweru said the cost of accidents amounted to Sh310 billion annually where about 3,000 lives were lost and property destroyed.

“People aged between 15 to 44 years are the hardest hit leaving families and the nation at large with a severe dent and loss of the most productive age group. Road user behavior is the biggest cause of accidents on Kenyan roads,” he said.

Overspeeding, reckless overtaking, drink-driving, drink-walking, drink-riding, and overloading as well as driving unroadworthy vehicles were among the notable causes of accidents.