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{
    "id": 320485,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/320485/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 451,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Lagat",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 64,
        "legal_name": "Elijah Kiptarbei Lagat",
        "slug": "elijah-lagat"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this chance to also contribute to this Bill. I support the Bill because of the changes that it makes. We understand and know that there are very many issues in our traffic rules that have cost the lives of people. On the clause that says that drivers should be tested yearly, I thought that whenever someone drives, he or she gains experience and becomes better. I think the best test can be done after two or three years to confirm whether a driver is conversant with and seriously follows traffic rules. With regard to imprisonment, I do not think that somebody who commits an offence for the first time should be imprisoned. However, I think fines should be increased to three times because that is what is happening in the Western world. On the clause on imprisonment, I think fines will be okay because it is also painful when somebody pays fines for committing an offence. Such a person will try not to commit any offence because he knows how painful it is to pay fines. I want the Minister to note that when the former Minister for Transport, the late hon. Michuki, introduced speed governors and safety belts, the number of accidents reduced in the country. I want to inform the Minister that as we try to pass this Bill the same law can be enforced so that we can reduce the number of accidents on our roads. This is because most of the accidents occur because of speeding while others occur because somebody has not fastened his or her safety belt. We know that chances of being injured in an accident are minimal if you fastened your safety belt compared to somebody who did not fasten his or hers. So, I still want to request the Minister that I think he should take this matter seriously so that the road-users can be safe on the roads. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, when we talk about this Bill, that he wants people to follow the traffic rules, most of us have been using this road from Nairobi going to Nakuru. There are some sections where the road has three lanes but you will find the slow drivers using the third lane. You will find most of the lorry drivers using the third lane and some the second lane so that those who are overtaking are forced to use the first lane. According to the law, the slow drivers should be driving on the first lane, while those who are overtaking should use the second and the third lane. I think the traffic police should be serious in ensuring that drivers adhere to the traffic laws. We should ensure in this law that when somebody is using the third lane and is driving slowly, action should be taken against him and a fine imposed on him. We have"
}