New Radical Traffic Bill Amendments Proposed
A new Traffic Amendment Bill 2012 is being proposed that will bring a raft of
major changes to the existing traffic law. This will come as no surprise to
Kenyans because there has been a noticeable increase in road carnage reports in
the recent past. One of the more radical measures being proposed is the
abolishment of the Kenya Traffic Police Department. According to the Bill, which
is sponsored by Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo, all police officers would be required to
enforce traffic laws.
The Bill proposes much tougher penalties for offenders while introducing other
regulations that it hopes will make it harder for man made errors, usually the
cause of many accidents, to occur. The following is a quick overview of some of
the major points in the Bill.
➢ The Administrative Unit of the Kenya Police Service known as the Traffic
Department would be abolished
➢ Ownership of vehicle registration plates would be given to the Kenya Revenue
Authority (KRA).
➢ In the event that the ownership of a vehicle changes, the registration plates
are to be surrendered to the registrar of motor vehicles first. Failure to do so
would attract a fine not exceeding KES 30 000, and a subsequent KES 10 000 for
every month the law is not observed.
➢ Driver's licence holders would have to undergo eye tests every three years.
They would need to present a medical practitioner's report in order to renew
their licence. People failing to adhere to this requirement would be
disqualified from holding a licence for three years.
➢ Driving under the influence would attract a penalty of 10 years in jail or a
minimum of KES 500 000 fine, or both.
➢ Overlapping, driving on pavements and pedestrian walkways or using petrol
stations to avoid traffic would get you a three month prison term or a fine of
KES 30 000, or both.
➢ The licence of a person found guilty of exceeding speed limits would be
invalid for not less than 3 years if the limit is exceeded by up to 10 KPH or if
the offense is repeated more than three times.
➢ The Inspector General of Police would designate areas where Police will be
required to erect roadblocks.
➢ There will be road signs showing the prescribed speed limits.
➢ PSV drivers and conductors would be required to wear badges and uniforms. In
addition, the PSV drivers would be required to do a compulsory competence test
every two years.
➢ Motorcycles would have to be insured against third party risks and the riders
would be compelled to wear helmets and reflector jackets. Penalties for
contravening this law would attract a KES 10 000 fine or a one-year jail term.
Meanwhile, the Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe welcomed the proposed changes but
wanted an inclusion of all the stakeholders first before it could be enacted.
According to Mr Kiraithe, it is important for the public, the judiciary and the
police to be involved in order to have a proper and positive change in the
traffic laws.
The current Traffic Commandant, Joseph Ole Tito was not comfortable with the
idea of disbanding the entire Traffic Police Department. It is Mr Ole Tito's
opinion that the police force would lose its grip on the traffic situation on
the country if the traffic duties were to be spread to the entire force.
A summary of the new traffic laws in Kenya effective immediately
Posted on November 9th, 2012
Categories: News
Here is a summary of the new traffic rules caused by the Amendment of section 12
of Cap 403 of the laws of Kenya. The president signed the amendments yesterday
meaning they are in operation from today.
Number plates: When you sell your vehicle, you should surrender the number
plates to the registrar of motor vehicles. Remember to surrender the number
plates to the registrar otherwise you risk being arrested and fined
Overlapping, undertaking, obstruction, driving on pavement or through a petrol
station to avoid traffic: You risk a fine of Kshs 100,000 -300,000 or one year
in jail or BOTH
Over speeding: When you over speed, you risk a fine of Kshs 10,000 or 3 months
imprisonment or both
Careless Driving: Penalty of Ksh 500,000 or 10 years imprisonment or both
Careless driving causing death: Life Imprisonment. This is being treated like
murder.
Driving under influence of alcohol: A fine of Ksh 500, 000 or ten years in jail
or both.
PSV Operators: Should adhere to the uniforms and badges rules
Motor Cycle operators: ONE PASSENGER only and the passenger and rider must be in
reflective vests and helmets – otherwise you risk a fine of Kshs 10,000 and in
default 12 months imprisonment
Other changes as below:
Road blocks are to be gazetted prior to being mounted by the police
Driving licenses of speed limit violators shall be suspended for not less than 3
years if the person has exceeded speed limit by more than 10 kph and if offence
is repeated 3 or more times.
Mandatory eye test every 3 years for licensed drivers. And if you fail the test
then license is withdrawn.
All law enforcement officers (regular police and APs) are now effectively
mandated to deal with traffic issues with the abolition of the Traffic
Department under the Kenya Police Service Act.
MOST IMPORTANT: SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH DRIVERS, COLLEAGUES, FAMILY &
FRIENDS
CCN
This is
unbelievable but it is so very true & a couple of people have
been caught so be on the watch-out ...For your understanding and
educating your friends and loved one Maybe you've been caught on the
wrong side of the City Council by-laws or haven't yet.
If
you're one of those ones who haven't, let me share my experience at
the hands of city council askaris.
I was unsuspectingly buying
myself a stick of gum, when I was nabbed by the askaris. It took me a
few minutes to wrap my head around what was happening. I was quickly
informed that it was a crime to purchase goods from a hawker, and
after lying through my teeth in a bid to convince them to let me go,
I was berated for being ignorant and immediately marched to a city
council vehicle that was parked nearby.
The last time I
checked the hawker who had sold me gum was right behind me,
accompanied by another askari but to my surprise, I was the only one
who got into the pick up! I guess City Council is synonymous to Kitu
Kidogo because everyone who gave them some cash was let go in the
course of our journey around the town center, as we looked for other
'unfortunate' Kenyans.
After the final lap, we were taken to
the City council Offices at city hall, where the magistrate briskly
gave out sentences for such misdemeanors; I was shocked to be fined
Sh2,000 for buying a stick of gum, while hawkers were getting away
with a day's work at the council offices, or a bribe of 500 bob.
So
there it is. bribery in this case is cheaper than justice. Truth is
with the new rules (cash cows) that have been put in place, there are
bound to be many victims of ignorance. Needless to say, I was late
for work but learned a very valuable lesson, CCN is always
watching!
Below is a list of the 10 petty offences that I
witnessed being charged in the Nairobi City Court as I waited for my
turn.
Beware: The City's deadliest sins
1.
Buying from hawkers
2. Sitting on a flower pot in the CBD
3.
Spitting on any footpath or blowing the nose aimlessly other than
into a suitable cloth or tissue
4. Taking or alighting from a
matatu from a non-designated area
5. Crossing the road while
you are on the phone
6. Making any kind of noise on the
streets
7. Playing any game, riding or driving or propelling
on a foot path
8. Graffiti
9. Owner of a burning
building should pay for fire fighting services whether the owner
requested for attendance or not.
10. Loitering, importuning or
attempting to procure a female/male for prostitution purposes.
11.
Having you car with a 'FOR SALE' sign and haven't paid the council is
also punishable.
The City's survival tips
1.
The moment you get into the council courts and charged, please plead
guilty because only then, will you be allowed to pay a fine of a
maximum of Sh2000. If you deny the charges you may be arrested for
two days with no fine.
2. Do not argue with the council
askaris if you know that you are guilty as charged. You might just
double your fine.
3. Bribes are unacceptable after/immediately
the lorry has entered the city council's compound.
4. M-PESA
is not allowed to pay for a crime.
5. Someone else MUST pay
your fine. You cannot pay the fine yourself after you have been
charged.
Ø The other day I saw Kanjo arresting a man for
pulling his suit case on its wheels, they want you to carry it n not
pull it - yet to find out the fine.
Below is a summary
of the newly introduced bylaw which we are all expected to adhere
to:-
§ Pedestrians crossing the roads in Nairobi when
traffic light is red - fine is Kshs. 10,000/=
§ Motorist
moving on when the traffic light is red - fine Kshs 10,000/=
§
Pedestrians crossing the road while talking on their mobile phones -
fine is Kshs. 500/=
§ Boarding at non designated PSV/matatu,
bus stop - Fine 10,000/=
§ Unfastened seat belt - Fine
500/=
§ Use of mobile phone when driving Kshs10,000/=
§
Driving with worn out tyres - Fine Kshs 10,000/=
§ Double
parking -Fine Kshs 20,000/=
Pass it on to your friends.
http://www.mashada.com/forums/sendmessage.php?do=sendtofriend&t=43825
http://www.mashada.com/forums/members/a-k-a.html
http://www.mashada.com/forums/general-discussion-life-opinions-advice/43825-nairobi-city-council-laws-print.html
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New Nairobi City Council traffic rules/offenses and fines 2 Years, 5 Months
ago Karma: 0
** This thread discusses the content article: New Nairobi City Council traffic
rules/offenses and fines **
The following are new Nairobi City Council traffic offences (rules) and
consequent fines that you should be aware of:
1. Pedestrians crossing the roads in Nairobi when traffic light is red –
fine is Kshs. 10,000/=
2. Motorist moving on when the traffic light is red – fine Kshs 10,000/=
3. Pedestrians crossing the road while talking on their mobile phones –
fine is Kshs. 500/=
4. Boarding/Alighting at non designated matatu stops Fine 10,000/=
5. Unfastened seat belt - Fine 500/=
6. Worn out tyres -- Fine Kshs 10,000/=
7. Double parking --Fine Kshs 20,000/=
These are government taxes we can avoid; please circulate this message link as
widely as possible.
Watching out for you,
George Nyongesa
http://www.bungelamwananchi.org/