The government has temporarily banned Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) from using the Nairobi Expressway as a measure to curb overspeeding on the new highway following a series of accidents.
Commercial passenger vehicles with a capacity of more than seven passengers have been temporarily barred from using the road, according to a statement issued by Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia.
The directive will be on a temporary basis awaiting proper measures – some of which the operator has already effected.Â
“Since the Nairobi Expressway was opened to the public, a number of traffic accidents and incidents involving commercial passenger vehicles have occurred on the expressway. These have necessitated an investigation into the cause of these accidents and incidents so that appropriate safety interventions can be developed to ensure that commercial passenger vehicles use the expressway safely.
“The Ministry of Transport has, therefore, taken the decision to temporarily restrict commercial passenger vehicles with a capacity of more than seven (7) passengers from using the Nairobi Expressway, as we investigate the cause of these accidents and develop appropriate safety measures,” read the statement in part.
Furthermore, the government revealed that they were introducing traffic cops at various points to enforce various government regulations such as overspeeding.
“The provisions of the Traffic Act will apply to those who do not observe stipulated speed limits. Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with any of the provisions of Section 42 of the Traffic Act shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of up to Ksh100,000.”
He explained that the move is intended to give the government time to investigate the causes of accidents seen on the expressway and develop appropriate safety measures to ensure that vehicles use the expressway safely.
He stated that since the expressway opened to the public in May, there have been a number of traffic accidents and incidents involving commercial passenger vehicles.
This has necessitated the launch of an investigation into the causes of the accidents and incidents in order to develop appropriate safety interventions to ensure such vehicles use the expressway safely.
