Nairobi: New drivers complain of harassment, plead for patience

The Kenya's Traffic Act demands that new drivers have the red 'L' sticker sign on both the rear and front sides of their vehicle.

The sign is supposed to be a privileged indication that the driver is a learner on the road, therefore alerting other motorists and road users to approach with caution and keep a distance. This is very important for road safety.

However, a number of new drivers bearing the red 'L' sticker sign have described their first few weeks of driving on Nairobi roads as torturous.

According to some of the new drivers, the roads are somewhat ‘hostile’ to anyone whose vehicle bears the red ‘L’ sticker.

“Some motorists literally taunt and honk at you just to get under your skin. It’s not polite given some of us just left the driving school the other day, and are yet to master the road,” said Vincent who has only been on the road for four weeks.

Vincent told Wananchi Reporting that some traffic police officers will stop you just for fun – as if to test your knowledge of the road.

“The other day a traffic officer stopped me for what she said was ‘jumping” traffic lights. I told her I had not ‘jumped’ any traffic lights because my car was firmly on the road. She let me go, but not before asking me to buy her tea to drive away the cold,” said Vincent.

“There are many roads I don’t know. That is why I often get lost and making numerous wrong turns. Our hawkeyed traffic police officers, and they are doing a good job, are always waiting for you,” he said with a smile.

He recounted an incident where a traffic police officer confiscated his Driver’s Licence following an ‘infraction’ he had allegedly committed.

“I didn’t know what I was supposed to do after she took my Licence. Some of these things you are not taught at the driving school,” he says.

According to some of these new drivers, the police should be a little considerate and patient when dealing with new drivers, who are yet to master the road.

“Please guide us, nurture us on these roads, and not just prey on us,” he said.

If not arguing with overzealous traffic police officers – many often find themselves grappling with annoying Matatus, boda boda and Tuk Tuks.

“I fear matatus most. They will honk incessantly at you for doing nothing. I think they just want to make you freeze on the road. It’s like they want to show you that they are the masters of the road. It’s very annoying,” says Grace Wangari who has only been driving for two months.

According to Wangari, there is very little joy that comes with driving a car as first driver here in Nairobi.

“Sometimes you leave your house and you start feeling nervous at the thought of the chaos that could be waiting for you on the road,” she told Wananchi Reporting.

She says that some learners often resort to ditching the ‘L’ sticker to avoid standing out as learners – but which is wrong according to the Kenya's Traffic Act.

Some of the new drivers feel that they need support as they master the roads, especially given that thousands of people die in accidents in Kenya yearly – and many are left nursing injuries.