Be conversant with transport rules NTSA to matatu owners

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has asked matatu owners to be conversant with rule and regulations governing the transport sector in order to avoid being caught contravening the law.

Speaking during a one-on one-session with Matatu operators, NTSA Director General Francis Mejja said most matatu operators have found themselves on the wrong side of the law due to ignorance of the regulations governing the industry.

Mejja said the operation to impound matatus with graffiti and fixated exhaust pipes to change their sound output will continue with an aim of taming the high road carnage on Kenyan roads.

Last month, NTSA and traffic police launched a crackdown on private cars operating as Public Service Vehicles.

The operation came after NTSA warned members of the public against boarding private vehicles to travel to and from Nairobi and other destinations.

In October last year, the transport body expressed concerns over the rising number of fatal accidents caused by private vehicles, saying there had been a 5 per cent increase in 2015 compared to 2014.

NTSA attributed the increase in number of accidents to human error, speeding, overtaking, drunk driving and the use of undesignated areas to drop passengers.