The deployment of this system could mark a significant step forward in Kenya’s road safety efforts.
A section of Nairobi motorists on Wednesday, November 27 cried foul after receiving a unique message ffrom the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) which is part of a silent evolution as far as Kenyan roads are concerned.
NTSA began quietly testing a new technology that caught motorists by ssussprise. This technology, strategically positioned along major highways and urban streets, is identifying speeding violations and sending automated text messages directly to vehicle owners.
The exact details of the technology remain undisclosed by the NTSA. However, based on the information shared by motorists on social media, it appears to be a sophisticated system capable of capturing when a vehicle exceeds the designated speed limit, capturing its registration number and sending an SMS message to the owner, alerting them of the violation.
Screenshot of an SMS alert sent to a motorist by NTSA. /X
It reads in part: “Warning: Violation of Section 42(1) of the Traffic Act. Your vehicle with Reg XXX was captured driving at a speed of 138 kph exceeding the speed limit of 110 kph on KIAMBAA on 2024-11-22 at 13:57:08. Slow down, fika salama.”
According to the motorists, the SMS was received almost immediately after they passed different roads around the city including Red Hill Road and the Southern bypass.
Through the pilot digital speed notification system which is still in its testing phase, NTSA notified the motorists that they violated section 42(1) of the Traffic Act which states that: “No person shall drive, or, being the owner or person in charge of a vehicle, cause or permit any other person to drive, a vehicle on a road at a speed greater than such speed as may be prescribed as the maximum speed for that class of vehicle,” reads the regulation in part.
The SMS notification messages feature several key details including the speeding vehicle’s registration, the time of committing the offence, the exact speed limit which was exceeded, and the name of the owner which the vehicle is registered under.
“NTSA doing this on Redhill Road and Southern Bypass. I was not driving it. Someone else was with the car,” X user Kamau wa Rally lamented. Some motorists have also expressed concerns about the potential legal implications if the registered driver was not the person behind the wheel at the time of the violation.
However, Kenyan traffic laws state that “No person shall drive, or, being the owner or person in charge of a vehicle, cause or permit any other person to drive, a vehicle on a road at a speed greater than such speed as may be prescribed as the maximum speed for that class of vehicle,”
Others worry that the system could be used as a tool for revenue generation rather than improving road safety. Despite being in its infancy stages, the new digital speed notification system is set to go a long way in aiding the NTSA to monitor and penalize speeding violations.
In 2023, NTSA hatched a comprehensive plan to help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of reducing road traffic-related fatalities. Part of the plan entailed setting up speed zones including 30 km/h Zones which are designated in areas such as villages, school zones, and commercial areas where the likelihood of pedestrian and cyclist accidents is high.
Similarly, the government also aimed to set up 50 km/h zones which would be enforced in areas susceptible to side-impact collisions, such as busy intersections.
NTSA is yet to issue a statement regarding details of the new technology. However, the agency has consistently emphasised its commitment to road safety and has implemented various measures to curb speeding, including increased police patrols, speed governors, and public awareness campaigns.
The deployment of this system could mark a significant step forward in Kenya’s road safety efforts. As technology continues to evolve, Kenyans can expect to see even more innovative tools and strategies to ensure safer roads for all.
The government has been contemplating using technology to deal with offences and management of traffic. On Wednesday, the government signed a deal with South Korean company, Samsung C&T for the implementation of Nairobi’s Intelligent Transport System (ITS).
The phase will involve the geometric improvement of 25 junctions in the capital city. The project, in the deal set to be worth Ksh8.4 billion, involves detailed design and upgrades to the junction configurations to ensure they can adequately handle traffic demand.
According to Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Davis Chirchir, this comprehensive upgrade will greatly improve traffic flow and safety in Nairobi city.
“Additionally, various ITS field equipment will be installed, including traffic signals, signal controllers, CCTV cameras, above-ground detectors, Variable Message Signs (VMS), Vehicle Enforcement Systems (VES), and Vehicle Detection Systems (VDS),” he stated.
Traffic jam along Thika Road. /MARVIN CHEGE.VIRALTEAKE
