What Traffic Offences Will Cost You In Kenya
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Kenya has a lot of busy roads and highways, so traffic offenses are a big problem there. These offenses range from minor violations, such as speeding and running red lights, to more serious offenses, like driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Knowing what these offenses are is essential for drivers in Kenya.
Traffic offenses in Kenya can have serious consequences, ranging from fines, license suspensions, or even jail time. Knowing what the traffic offenses are is essential to ensuring that you are following the law and not getting into trouble.
In Kenya, traffic violations are a big deal because they help keep everyone safe on the roads. This article discusses some of the most common traffic offenses and their penalties.
Different Traffic Offenses and Penalties in Kenya.
Traffic offenses are one of Kenya’s most common causes of road accidents. So that drivers can be more responsible and careful on the roads, they should know what the penalties are for these offenses. Here is a list of some traffic offenses and their penalties in Kenya.
Cellphone Use While Driving
Using a cell phone while driving can result in a loss of concentration, leading to road accidents. Due to this, the government has prohibited the use of cell phones while driving in Kenya. Using a cell phone while driving can attract a penalty of KSH 2,000 if you are caught by the police.
Lack of or expired insurance Certification:
As a driver, you must have your insurance certificate with you at all times. If the insurance certificate is no longer valid, you need to renew it as soon as possible. However, driving without a valid insurance certificate is a traffic offense. If caught, you will be penalized by paying a fine of KSH 100,000.
Driving on the Road Without Attaching the “L” Sign:
As a fresh driving school graduate, you are always expected to display the “L” sign on your car’s front and rear sides. The “L” is essential to you and other road users, as stated in the Kenyan Traffic Act. So, if you drive without “L” signs on your car, you will have to pay a fine of KSH 1,000.
Stopping or picking up passengers in unentitled areas
Stopping to pick up passengers at undesignated points is a traffic offense in Kenya. Commuters and drivers can pick up or drop off passengers at a number of official stops. If you are found guilty of this traffic offense, you will be penalized with a fine of KSH 3,000.
Lack of or Possession of an Expired Driver’s License:
In Kenya, drivers are assigned different vehicle classes when a driver’s license is issued. You must always maintain your vehicle class as indicated on your driver’s license. Failure to do so attracts a fine of KSH 7,000 as a penalty. But you will be fined KSH 1,000 if you have a driver’s license that has expired or if you don’t have one.
Overspeeding:
Overspeeding can be intolerable in Kenya. Before now, there were structured penalty charges according to the speed limits exceeded. For instance, you will be charged KSH 500 if you exceed about 2-5 km/hr, KSH 3,000 if you exceed about 6-10 km/h, KSH if you exceed 11-15 km/hr, and KSH 10,000 if you exceed the speed limit above 15 km/hr.
However, these rates have been modified to incorporate the new rates. Currently, you will be issued a warning when you exceed your speed limit by 1-5 km/hr, a fine of KSH 500 for an exceeded limit of 5-10 km/hr, KSH 5,000 from 11-15 km/hr and KSH 10,000 from 16-20 km/hr.
Disobedience of traffic signs and traffic police officers
When a driver disobeys the road signs in Kenya or a traffic police officer, they will be penalized in Kenya. Disobeying the traffic signs attracts an instant fine of KSH 3,000. Using the pedestrian pavements on the road will attract a fine of KSH 5,000, while disobeying or turning a blind eye to instructions from the traffic police officers will attract a penalty of KSH 3,000.
Allowing an Unauthorized Person to Drive Your PSV:
It is a traffic offense to permit your PSV to be used by an unauthorized person. If you are found guilty, you will be fined KSH 5,000.
Traffic offenses in Kenya are classified into different categories, each carrying its penalties. Depending on the severity of the offense, a driver may be fined or even face jail time.
In this article, we tried to talk about some of the most common traffic offenses in Kenya, like speeding, driving recklessly, driving with too many people in the car, and driving without a license.
Knowing about these offenses and their penalties is essential for any driver to stay safe on the roads and abide by the law.
