The government of Kenya has erected speed cameras on all major roads in the country to curb road carnage. Kenya is one of the top countries in Africa with high road carnage, amounting to thousands of casualties every year. The process of erecting speed cameras is being spearheaded by the National Transport Safety Authority, and several drivers have already been fined Sh10,000 for over speeding.
However, despite the presence of these cameras, here are some ways of evading speed cameras on Thika Superhighway.
- GPS Speed Camera Detectors (Legal): Apps like “Jam” or “Radarbot” use your phone’s GPS and a community updated database to warn you when you are approaching a known speed camera location. This acts like a reminder to check your speed and is generally legal.
- Radar/Laser Detectors (Legal Status Varies): These devices detect the radar or laser beams emitted by police speed guns. They are legal in some places like the UK but illegal in others, so drivers must be cautious about using them in Kenya.
- Radar/Laser Jammers (Highly Illegal): These devices do not just detect but actively jam the police’s speed reading equipment. This is considered a very serious offense, like perverting the course of justice, and carries the potential for severe penalties.
- Use a GPS Warning App: Download a legitimate speed camera detection app. It acts as a helpful reminder of speed limits and known camera locations.
- Obey the Speed Limit: This is the only guaranteed method to avoid fines and, more importantly, to keep you and others safe. Speeding is a leading factor in fatal crashes, and no fine is worth a human life.
The NTSA has warned that it will continue to intensify its enforcement efforts and has urged all motorists to adhere to speed limits for their own safety and that of other road users.
