Kanja Orders Crackdown on Unroadworthy Vehicles, Motorcycles and Drunk Driving Ahead of Festivities

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has directed police officers to intensify traffic enforcement and impound unroadworthy vehicles and motorcycles as the country prepares for increased travel during the festive season.

Kanja ordered officers to crack down on drunk driving, dangerous driving, speeding and overloading, warning that increased traffic and commercial activities in the final weeks of the year could expose road users to greater risks.

“As we move into the final weeks of the year, we anticipate increased road traffic and heightened commercial activities; we expect you to curtail drunkenness and dangerous driving, speeding, overloading and unroadworthy motor vehicles and motorcycles,” Kanja directed.

He spoke during a joint prayer and thanksgiving service for officers serving in the uniformed disciplined services and their families at the Holy Family Minor Basilica on Saturday, November 7, where he directed that the crackdown be coordinated through a multi-agency framework.

The police chief further instructed officers to ensure motorists, pedestrians and other road users observe safety precautions, urging them to remain alert and respond promptly to emerging security concerns.

“Motorists, pedestrians and all road users must take due care while using our roads. I urge the officers to remain alert, adequately prepared and responsive to emerging security concerns,” Kanja added.

At the same time, Kanja also directed police commanders to coordinate enforcement operations through a multi-agency framework, saying collaboration among security agencies would improve responses to traffic violations and other security challenges.

Additionally, the IG told officers to strengthen security arrangements during family gatherings and other festive season activities, noting that increased movement of people would require heightened vigilance.

The directives come as the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) intensifies road safety enforcement along major transit routes ahead of the holiday travel season.

About two weeks ago, NTSA announced day-and-night enforcement operations under its Msimu Bila Ajali, Usalama Barabarani campaign, targeting motorists involved in drunk driving, speeding, and vehicle overloading.

The authority said the operations would place greater emphasis on evening and late-night patrols, citing the heightened risk of road crashes during those hours.

During the crackdown, officers are using real-time speed monitoring equipment and inspecting vehicle speed limiters to establish whether they are functioning and transmitting data to the Intelligent Road Safety Management System.

NTSA also announced that public service vehicles and long-distance transport operators would face compliance checks covering driver licences, PSV badges, passenger manifests, route permits, inspection stickers and passenger and cargo weight limits.