The National Transport and Safety Authority has intesified compliance checks on major highways as majority of Kenyans travel upcountry for Christmas and New Year festivities.
Among the roads where compliance checks and sensitisation of motorists took place Monday include Iguhu along Kakamega-Kisumu highway, Keroka in Nyamira county, Lodiani in Kericho county, Naivasha in Nakuru county and along Nyahururu - Olkalou road.
Other check points included at Blue J along Mombasa - Ukunda Highway, along Garissa - Mwingi road and at Ahero in Kisumu county.
Several motorists found themselves in a tight spot after officers who had mounted roadblocks impounded their vehicles for flouting traffic rules and regulations.
In an update Monday evening, NTSA said 31 motorists were arrested for speeding along the Dongo Kundu bypass in Kwale county.
"Eleven unroadworthy vehicles were this afternoon impounded along Garissa - Mwingi road," the authority added.
The motorists appeared to have treated with contempt prior warning issued by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi days to the onset of festive season.
"To ensure the safety of all road users during the festive season, there shall be heightened action against illegal and unlicensed PSVs to prevent them from operating as passenger transport vehicles. Such vehicles should not be allowed to carry passengers, as they do not meet the required standards for passenger safety as stipulated in the NTSA (Operation of PSV) Regulations of 2014," Mudavadi said.
He issued the statement in his capacity as the then acting Interior CS prior to the designation of Kipchumba Murkomen as the substantive office holder by President William Ruto on December 19.
NTSA said during the crackdown, several PSVs were also impounded for tampering with the speed limiter.
The authority advised motorists to facilitate removal of stalled vehicles from roads as soon as possible and to place proper signs to warn other motorists.
NTSA further urged motorists to respect speed limits, saying speeding is one of the most dangerous behaviours on the road with devastating outcomes.
"When driving, maintain the required speed limit to ensure your dafety and that of other road users. Ni jukumu letu sote (It's our collective responsibility," the authority said.
