The transport authority will as from next month roll out the much anticipated smart driving licences. National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) is also testing a new technology to link vehicle number plates to driving licences in a bid to reduce road accidents.
On Sunday, Nyanza regional manager Ezekiel Koech said the new technology is aimed at helping identify rogue drivers. Mr Koech, who was speaking at the Kisumu bus park after a vehicle inspection operation, said the smart driving licences will be a game changer in the fight to reduce road mayhem.
“We are at the testing stage and are hoping that by December next year, all motorists will be having the smart driving licences,” he said. “The process of rolling it out will begin early next year in January,” Koech added. The new digital driving licence will contain a driver’s history and will also have points.
They are also embedded with a secure computer chip containing the holder’s information, which are only readable using special electronic gadgets to be owned and managed by NTSA officials. The officer accused motorists of refusing to abide by traffic laws. He noted that attacks on NTSA officials were also on the rise in the region, with drivers also tampering with speed governors.