Police Set To Return Alcoblow On Kenyan Roads Ahead Of Festive Season
During the upcoming holiday season, the traffic division of the National Police Service (NPS) will reintroduce alcoblow breathalyzers on main highways across the nation in an effort to deter drunk driving and reduce road accidents.
Inspector Erick Kiragu of the Nairobi Traffic Police stated on Thursday, during a road safety campaign exercise in Kisumu County, that breathalysers are an effective deterrent against intoxicated driving among Kenyan motorists.
In addition to stating that thousands of Kenyans are killed annually in road accidents, Kiragu declared that both private and public vehicles will be inspected by the police to ensure compliance with current road regulations.
“We must be ready to save lives on our roads and using alcoblow is one of the ways that will help the police to deal with drunk drivers,” Kiragu is quoted as saying by Capital FM.
“Police often only flag down public vehicles for inspection, but this time round, more flagging will be on private cars to check on their conditions.”
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Isaac Silali, manager of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) in Kisumu, stated that the State agency will collaborate with the police to ensure the success of the exercise.
Former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta ratified the Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2021, which prohibited drugged driving, in July 2022.
Violators of the offense face a maximum fine of Ksh.100,000, a mandatory prison sentence of two years, or both, upon conviction.
A breathalyzer uses a breath sample to determine the amount of alcohol in an individual’s blood.
Drivers who have consumed alcohol in excess of 35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath, 80 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of blood, or 107 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of urine are not permitted to operate a motor vehicle.
Police Set To Return Alcoblow On Kenyan Roads Ahead Of Festive Season