Logbooks, driving licenses. [Photo|Nairobi Digest]The National Transport and Safety Authority has issued a new notice that will see thousands of vehicle owners pay for advanced stickers to curb theft.
At least 300,000 commercial vehicle owners are expected to pay for new electronic stickers starting this October.
The stickers (to be fixed on windscreens), NTSA says, will make it harder for drivers to get away with traffic offences and help police recover stolen cars.
They are referred to as third identifiers have been made to instantly indicate whether a car is stolen, show its insurance status and history of any traffic offences.
The stickers, essentially electronic chips will contain individual vehicle’s details, including the number plate, model and chassis number. All these will be linked to a central database for oversight.
NTSA has so far issued 2,363 stickers of the kind to persons registering new cars.
With a shelf life of about 10 years, the stickers are tamperproof and use radio-frequency technology to transmit information to the NTSA’s base through hand-held readers or overhead street cameras.
The special gadgets can decode data embedded in the third identifier chips from a distance of six metres and even when a vehicle is moving at 200 kilometers per hour.
In its latest move, the transport regulator seeks to broaden the strategy to income-generating vehicles including public service vehicles (PSVs), trucks and pick-ups.
NTSA’s registration and licensing director Jacqueline Githinji said they seek to make the process painless.
“These stickers will for now only be issued during inspection so motorists, whose vehicles were recently certified will get theirs when inspection is next due.”
Subscribers of the same will be able to remit their payments online.
“Beginning October, our online portal will be updated to allow people to pay for the sticker before proceeding for their annual roadworthiness inspection,” Mrs Githinji told local press.
Boda-bodas (motorbikes), tuk-tuks (three-wheeler taxis) and tractors have been exempted from the new rule. The NTSA inspects about 25,000 commercial vehicles per month.
NTSA plans to have all registered motor vehicles in the country (over two million) compliant by the end of next year.