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Motorists switch to digital driving licences this month


Kenyan motorists will later this month switch to digital driving licences but will be spared instant fines that come with the smart card due to a pending court case.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) said more than 100,000 of the smart cards have been produced in readiness for distribution to drivers starting with first-time motorists.

The smart licences have instant fines capability software installed, but it will remain inactive until the court case is heard and determined.

NTSA director-general Francis Meja said the smart permits will be launched this month, adding that the instant fines capability will be activated in due course subject to the court determination.

“Instant fines are aimed at penalising petty offenders whereby the information will be relayed to our database and fines paid ‘cashlessly’, thereby helping curb graft on our roads,” said Mr Meja.

POINTS SYSTEM

The rules frozen by court required motorists who commit minor traffic offences such as talking on the phone while driving or exceeding speed limits to part with between Sh500 and Sh10,000 in fines.

The list of minor violations included speeding, motorcycle riding without protective gear, failure to fasten seat belts, pedestrians blocking free passage of cars, driving on footpaths and travelling with part of the body outside a moving vehicle.

Besides the instant fines capability, the card comes loaded with points to be deducted every time a motorist commits a traffic offence.

Repeat offenders who will have exhausted their points will permanently lose their licences, have them confiscated temporarily, pay spot fines or be made to attend refresher driving classes.

The points system, widely used in the West to tame errant drivers, will see each motorist’s card loaded with 20 points that are to be deducted progressively at a rate proportional to the offence committed.

SERIOUS OFFENCES

Breaches such as overlapping will see drivers lose a single point from their accounts over and above getting fined.

A driver will have a week or so to recover this “lost” point if he or she doesn’t commit other offences.

Serious offences such as drink driving and speeding will result in deductions of more than 10 points, fines and a number of other disciplinary measures that could see one lose their licence for life.

The NTSA will share the information on rogue drivers with insurance firms, a move that could see such drivers’ premiums rise as they will be deemed risky clients.

Over the next three years, the smart driving licences will be distributed to motorists starting with new applicants and those renewing their permits.