Matatu Owners Accept Fresh Driving Tests

The Matatu Owners Association (MOA) has welcomed a move by the government to effect the mandatory re-testing of all drivers from 2014.

Speaking to Capital FM News, Chairman Simon Kimutai stressed that this will ensure that only those who comply with traffic rules have the privilege of driving.

He stated that under the new system where driver habits information will be shared with the insurance industry, there will be fewer accidents as motorists will exercise caution.

“The speed guns that we have donated to the traffic department should be made use of. Any person caught over speeding, it does not matter who he is, let them face the law. And we would want to tell the judiciary to teach them a lesson because what is killing our people is just speed,” he said.

He indicated that when fully rolled out, the new system will introduce a penalty system for drivers while multiple offenders risk having their licenses suspended altogether.

“One thing is that for now, I wish that fines imposed could not be monetary only. Let people’s licenses be revoked and let them even face jail terms. If you are driving a car in a way that you are going to kill people and you know that you have gone beyond the normal speed, you should face jail time,” he said.

“For those who are first offenders, they should probably just get a fine but if you do this repeatedly, let the licenses go away. Let them be carried only by people who are professionals,” he stated.

The government also plans to outsource motor vehicle inspection to reputable garages to be licensed under strict conditions.

The first to lose this privilege will be some 25,000 PSV drivers who will be barred from driving under the new rules and those who pass the driving tests will be issued with new smart driving licenses.

Under the new system, driver habits information will be shared with the insurance industry.

When fully rolled out, the new system will introduce a penalty system for drivers while multiple offenders risk having their licenses suspended altogether.

NTSA and stakeholders are currently re-evaluating bidders of a new Transport Integrated Management System (TIMS) that will link police, KRA, the justice system and the insurance industry.

This will form a bulwark for the new revolutionary system.

News Source: CAPITALFM KENYA