NTSA nabs 30 drunk drivers in weekend crackdown

Drunk drivers had a hard time Friday night after National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) officers carried out an operation to arrest those driving while drunk along the Embu –Nairobi highway.

Passengers traveling from Nairobi to Embu and Meru were also caught in the operation as most of the Matatus did not have a night travel license which all is required for all public service vehicles which operate at night.

PSV drivers found guilty of this offence had their licenses and PSVs badges taken by the NTSA officers.

The operation, which was carried out by NTSA officers in conjunction will traffic officers from Embu, started around 10 pm.

At least 30 drunk drivers driving personal cars were arrested and their vehicles towed to Embu police station.

Many of the drivers engaged officers as they resisted using the alcohol blow, while some of them managed to escape from the police road block which was mounted in Embu town.

Speaking to the media, NTSA Deputy Director in charge of Safety enforcement and Accidents Investigations Lt Col Hared Adan said drunk driving and speeding are the main causes of road accidents in the country.

Adan said that 25 percentage of accidents in the country are caused by drunken driving, adding that they will continue with the operations across the country as one way of reducing accidents on our roads.

He warned Matatu Saccos, saying the agency will summon the all the saccos that have allowed their drivers to operate during the night without licenses.

By Anthony Ndwigah