New NTSA rules could defeat primary purpose

The new traffic penalties may not restore sanity on our roads.

It is indeed unfortunate to see innocent commuters perish on the roads simply because of our drivers’ negligence of simple safety traffic regulations.

If anyone would bother to wind back the clock 12 years ago, a picture of the late John Michuki’s traffic regulations would clearly resurface. Traffic madness, to a large extent, reduced significantly compared to the prior cases although some cartels eventually messed it up.

The miscarriage of Michuki rules’ was largely linked to individualistic interests.

And the new National Transport and Safety Authority measures could also be frustrated. If a driver, for example, is found to be operating a vehicle without a valid driving licence, the rules spell a fine of Sh1, 000. Is one pays that penalty, he/she can just proceed on with the journey, come back tomorrow again to the same spot, pay the amount, drive on and make it a habit.

If the Government will capitalize on these measures to generate revenue at the expense of what it is not intended for, (sanity on our roads), then no doubt we are yet to witness a downward spiral that led to death of “Michuki rules”.