NTSA warns matatu drivers against interfering with speed governors

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has cautioned matatu operators against tampering with their vehicles’ speed governors during this festive season.

They have also been asked to drive carefully since the current wet conditions brought by the ongoing El Nino rains, is similarly contributing to the accidents due to flooding that has resulted to destruction of roads in some areas.

“Vehicle operators are tampering or disconnecting their speed governors, with a view to drive their public service vehicles beyond the set speed limit,” NTSA Director-General Francis Meja said in a press statement released Monday.

A PSV is supposed to drive at a speed of 80 kilometres per hour but several matatus have not been observing the rule.

This means they have interfered with speed governors which are supposed to ensure they do not exceed the set limit.

Cases of fatal road accidents have increased with the latest one occurring in Gatundu North on Sunday where 10 people died after a 14-seater matatu they were travelling in veered off the road and plunged into a river.

The accidents was partly blamed on the wet weather conditions.

Mr Meja’s statement sought to remind all drivers and pedestrians to be extra careful while observing traffic rules during the December festive season.

FESTIVE SEASON ACCIDENTS

“In the past, festive seasons have been associated with a relatively high increase in road crashes,” he said.

Mr Meja was, however, concerned with matatu drivers whom he said have even been contravening the night travel operator licenses which has specific set conditions.

He also raised concern over cases of drivers and conductors operating under the influence of alcohol.

“During its compliance and road safety checks, the authority has also noted with great concern a significant number of public service vehicle drivers and conductors who have been operating while drunk,” Mr Meja said in the statement, warning that this is a dangerous trend.

He added NTSA would ensure that the driving licenses and badges of such PSV crews are revoked and culprits forced to undergo fresh training a testing.

Even those who fail, neglect or refuse to comply with the set conditions for night travel or tampering with speed governors, Mr Meja warned, will have their license revoked.

Many people will be travelling upcountry during this festive season.

The NTSA boss said the authority, in collaboration with the traffic police, had dispatched enforcement teams throughout the country to detect and identify drivers who flout traffic laws.

“The enforcement teams will also check on the use of fake driving documents by unlicensed drivers and impound un-roadworthy vehicles,” Mr Meja said.