NTSA Sounds Alarm Over Rising Speed Limiter Tampering on Kenyan Roads

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has raised concern over a growing trend of motorists interfering with speed limiters, warning that the illegal practice is putting lives at risk on Kenyan roads.

According to the authority, recent enforcement operations have uncovered multiple public service vehicles (PSVs) and commercial trucks operating with manipulated speed governors. 

Officers reported encountering vehicles displaying abnormal speed readings, an indication that the mandatory safety devices had been altered or disabled.

Speed limiters are legally required on PSVs and commercial vehicles to control how fast they can travel. 

NTSA says the devices are meant to reduce speeding, which remains one of the leading causes of deadly road crashes in the country. However, some vehicle owners and drivers are deliberately bypassing the systems to gain speed, especially during long-distance trips.

In a statement released over the weekend, NTSA reminded motorists that tampering with speed limiters is a criminal offence under Kenyan traffic laws.

“Any form of interference with speed limiters undermines road safety efforts and exposes passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists to serious danger,” the authority said.

The warning comes at a time when traffic volumes are rising as Kenyans travel to various destinations for the festive season. 

NTSA noted that periods of increased travel often coincide with higher accident rates, prompting the authority to intensify inspections across major highways and urban roads.

Enforcement officers have been deployed nationwide to conduct vehicle inspections, check compliance with safety regulations, and arrest offenders. 

NTSA says the crackdown will continue throughout the holiday period, with strict action promised against drivers and operators who flout the law.

Apart from speed limiter violations, NTSA is also targeting drunk driving through random breathalyser tests. Officers are conducting night and daytime checks on key routes, including highways linking Nairobi to Central, Eastern, and Rift Valley regions.

The authority confirmed that several drivers have already been arrested after being found driving under the influence of alcohol. Some motorists recorded alcohol levels far above the legal limit, highlighting the dangers posed by impaired driving.

NTSA warned that alcohol significantly reduces a driver’s ability to react quickly, judge distances, and maintain control of a vehicle, making it a major contributor to fatal crashes.

“Driving under the influence is a reckless act that endangers not only the driver but also innocent road users,” the agency said.

Motorists planning to consume alcohol during the holiday season were urged to arrange alternative transport, such as taxis, or designate sober drivers. 

PSV operators were also reminded of their responsibility to ensure their vehicles comply with safety standards at all times.

NTSA called on all road users to play their part in reducing road carnage by obeying traffic rules, avoiding risky behaviour, and prioritising safety over speed. 

The authority reiterated that road safety is a shared responsibility and warned that those who disregard the law will face tough legal consequences.