In a fresh challenge to the National Transport and Safety Authority’s (NTSA) highly contentious instant traffic fines system, Members of Parliament have opposed the practice of attaching penalties to vehicle logbooks.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

During National Assembly proceedings on July 2, lawmakers argued that the system unfairly penalises vehicle owners instead of offending drivers.

Molo MP Kuria Kimani said that attaching fines to logbooks would do little to deter reckless driving, as vehicle owners could end up bearing the consequences of offences committed by others despite not being behind the wheel.

“Attaching instant traffic fines to a vehicle’s logbook fails to deter reckless drivers and unfairly penalises vehicle owners and financiers. To make sure accountability rests with the offender, fines should be linked to the offending driver's licence,” he stated.

📌 What You Need to Know

He said accountability for traffic violations should rest with the individual who committed an offense, calling for fines to be linked to drivers’ licences rather than vehicle ownership records.

Kimani noted that the approach is unfair, particularly in cases where vehicles are driven by employees, including ride-hailing drivers.

“I think who the fine is attached to needs to be rethought. For example, if I have 10 vehicles that I use as Uber cars and the drivers operate them dangerously and are fined, the penalty ends up being attached to the logbook. That does not deter the behaviour of the driver. Perhaps the fines should instead be attached to that driver's licence rather than the vehicle’s logbook,” he said.

The MP also raised concerns over vehicles purchased through financing arrangements, saying penalties attached to logbooks could affect banks and other lenders listed as joint owners.

Kimani warned that the practice could create unintended financial and administrative complications for lenders.

“Another complication involves vehicles that are on loan. For example, a logbook may be under joint ownership between the bank and the borrower. When a fine is lodged against that vehicle’s logbook, it also affects the lender, whether it is a bank or even smaller lenders such as motorcycle financiers,” he added.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke