- NTSA argued producing a license is not the only way a police officer can find out if a driver is licensed
- The Authority noted it had developed an application that can also be used to verify a driver’s license
- NTSA had earlier clarified it is not a must for private motorists to have first aid kits and fire extinguishers
- Only PSVs are required to have the safety equipment, especially those traveling long distances
- The clarifications came amid panic by private motorists over the resurrection of Michuki rules
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has come up with a fresh proposal that could rescue motorists who have been suffering in the cruel hands of rogue traffic police officers whenever they forget to carry their driving license.
The Authority is pushing for amendment to the current Traffic Act demanding physical license so that motorists will not be forced to arm themselves with the driver’s license at all times provided they are validly and duly licensed to be behind the wheels.
In its proposal, NTSA argued producing ones license was not the only way a police officer can verify that a motorist is indeed a licensed driver.
“Section 36 (2) of the Traffic Act allows a motorists to produce other evidence to satisfy the police that the motorist is duly licensed as per the requirements of Section 30,” the Authority said in a statement seen by TUKO.co.ke on Wednesday, December 5.
Section 36 (2) of the Traffic Act states a driving license or provisional license include such other evidence as will satisfy the police that there is no contravention of Section 30, which basically requires a driver to have a valid license.
“To this end, NTSA has developed an application that enables one to verify the status of any driving license and this can be used as evidence that a motorist is duly licensed,” the Authority said.
The NTSA suggested the Traffic Act be amended after it reportedly received numerous complains from members of the public.
The Authority had also earlier clarified that although all public service vehicles (PSVs) are expected to have first aid kits and fire extinguishers, it was not mandatory for private motorists to have the same.
“Section 55 of the Traffic Rules is clear that only PSVs are required to carry fire extinguishers and first aid kits. Private vehicles are only required to have lifesavers,” NTSA noted.
Concerns had been raised that police officers were likely to impound private vehicles for not carrying first aid kits and fire extinguishers in the name of enforcing the recently revived Michuki Rules.
SOURCE: tuko.co.ke
