Things to follow when driving on Kenya roads. We bring you some of the traffic cautions to engage when driving through Kenya especially to foreign drivers. Fortunately, Kenya has experiences an impressive progression where roads have been paved. This article is useful for drivers who are wishing to hire a car and take a self-drive to this foreign land. These guidelines are going to be useful to you.
The Traffic Act and Highway Code
According to the Kenya’s traffic act sets out the laws that govern the use of roads and the expected conduct of road users. It also includes some of the penalties and fines for road users who do not abide by these laws.
The Highway Code is a set of information, advice, guides, and mandatory rules for all road users in Kenya. It provides guidelines for animals, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. The purpose of the Highway Code is to promote safety, responsible behavior, and courtesy at all times.
It is your responsibility as a road user to read the traffic act and Highway Code and learn the essential rules for safe driving or riding and the general rules of behavior in traffic regarding safety, courtesy, and responsibility.
Driving qualifications
Any driver in Kenya must be 18 years and above, must have a valid driving license for citizens, and those within the COMESA region, and for international drivers must have a valid international driver’s license. For foreign travelers it’s important you move along with your visa, or passport for easy identification y authorities.
Driving is on the left hand side
Driving through Kenya all drivers use the left hand side lane. So, if coming from the Rift hand driving countries, then it’s important that you make a simple practice for the left hand side lane driving. Most of the vehicles, driver’s seat is on the right, though there are chances of getting the left hand steering vehicles if you made request with your car rental company. Keep left, this is done almost with all common wealth member countries of which Kenya is a member.
Speed limit
Over speeding can be punishable and always care not fall victim, well pinned road signs can help to know maximum speed to use in every particular place. Speed vary according to places, on highways the speed should be not beyond 100km/h, driving in trading centers and towns always the speed doesn’t go beyond 50km/h and driving in national parks should not exceed 40km/h.
Traffic lights
The same directions of the traffic lights works worldwide and the most important part is following them day and night. However, there are some extent of encountering some traffic lights not functions for different reasons and here have to be careful as everyone is figuring their way out.
Road signs
Should always be careful to follow are road signs, let people cross at the zebra crossing, animal crossing at high ways are common and should always be careful not to follow the careless drivers. Always take care to follow road signs not to follow victim of consequences of not abiding by the set laws.
Be flesh
Should not seat behind the wheels when feeling tired, get rested and refresh to make yourself very fitting to drive.
No driving Alcoholic drive
One of the global traffic rule, any substance which can temper with your conscious like alcohol are not allowed to be under their influence. The rule is don’t drink and drink, then you be very safe whenever driving.
Wear Safety Seat belt
It’s mandatory, however, it’s helpful in times of need, always make it a point not to drive without a seat belt one of the wonderful safety measure in case of an accident especially to persons within the car.
Right of Way
It’s disturbing to some drivers, but give ways especially to specific vehicles mainly like ambulances, ministers, president’s convey and where need be. So vehicles like for police with sirens, emergency cars, and fire bridged cars.
Overtaking
When driving on one-way overtaking must keep it safe, driving on a single lane roads taking either sides here one should be careful when overtaking other vehicles, on sloping roads only vehicles climbing can over take with the extra where there’s an extra lane when driving at a slower speed can side on the extreme end lane and leave the main be used by vehicles overtaking. Carefulness should always be considered whenever overtaking other vehicles
Fueling
Before driving especially to upcountry should make sure to have enough fuel with your car rental. This is because there’s chances of reaching some places where you cannot access fuel. When the self-drive is for a long route should consider taking full tank of the vehicle.
Indicators
When overtaking, turning off the road when driving should endeavor to use the indicators a distance before turning. However, when driving should always lookout for vehicles in front especially taxis which can make sudden stops even when they’re stopping. Act the road rule which says “be the only wise on the road”.
Car horn use
Car hooting is possible and anywhere in Kenya. There is a lot of careless driving on roads and the best way to maneuver through such drivers, take use of these car horn. Don’t use the horn when stationed on the road or aggressively on other roads, to places where there is no hooting just be careful to abide.
