It’s just about that season when faint hearted drivers sum up the courage to face traffic police officers dotting all major highways across the country.

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A spot check across major highways to and from the capital, Nairobi – either heading to Western, Nyanza, Central Kenya or the Coast –  have the men in blue all over doing what they do best; enforcing traffic rules.

However, in my years of experience driving on a number of major highways across the country, I have mastered three tips that have helped me not get pulled over by traffic cops. Here they are:

1. Always obey traffic rules

The very first role you play in ensuring you stay off the cops radar while driving is ensuring that you follow all laid down traffic rules.

Observe speed limits set for a particular area, ensure your vehicle is in good mechanical condition and has all necessary documents allowing it to be on the road. If you are not travelling alone, always make sure you carry passengers to capacity.

2. Know your route very well

Good mastery of your route is more about knowing where there are police checks, speed limits and the terrain of the road – especially where there is a tempting stretch.

For example, the Mai-Mahiu-Ntulele stretch is highly tempting but is bait for Kenyan drivers plying the route. 

Unknown to you, just a few kilometres from where the stretch starts, there are cops flagging you down for speeding.

In such tempting stretches, always be on the watch and look for a vehicle idly pulled over the road. Usually, these are traffic cops with speed guns who make a phone call to their colleagues and even before you get there, they are aware you were over-speeding and cook your goose!

3. Confidence in roadblocks

One thing I have always made sure anytime I approach a roadblock is tailing behind two or three cars when approaching a police check stop. It works wonders.

On a 90 per cent basis, the vehicles ahead of you will always get pulled over while you make your gallant pass with a smile and confidence all over you.

In the event you have forgotten to carry your driver’s license (DL), don’t panic when you see that police check sign on the road.

Approach it with confidence and when they ask you to produce your DL, send the word DL to NTSA’s 22846. You will get a reply message with all your details contained in your driving license.

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