Road licence grace period extended

Mon, 15 Jan 2018 11:52:46 +0000

By ANDREW MUKOMA

The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has extended the grace period for motorists to acquire motor vehicle and trailer licences (road tax) and road service licences for the year 2018.

And the agency over the weekend impounded over 50 vehicles that were being driven by persons under the influence of alcohol in Livingstone.

RATSA Public Relations Manager Fredrick Mubanga disclosed in a statement released to the Daily Nation in Livingstone that all motorists and Public Service Vehicle Operators have been given an extension of up to 31st January, 2018 to pay for the required licenses.

Mr. Mubanga said that there will be no enforcement of the validity of the said documents until the stated grace period has expired.

He has advised law enforcement agencies accordingly follow the pronouncement.

“The Agency is providing this grace period to accommodate the licensing needs of all motorists,” he said.

However, Mr. Mubanga sad that the extension does not include the certificate of fitness and the test certificates as the two relate to the road-worthiness and the safety of vehicles.

“The RTSA hopes that the public will utilise the extension period to comply with the law and pay for all road licences,” he said.

And the agency over the weekend impounded over 50 vehicles that were being driven persons that were under the influence of alcohol in Livingstone.

Briefing the media on Sunday, Mr. Mubanga said that the 50 were impounded within a period of two hours.

He said that 30 of the drivers tested positive and were under permissible influence of 0.8%.

Mr. Mubanga said that if the situation is left unchecked, a lot of motorists will be causing unnecessary accidents.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mubanga has disclosed that the agency will embark on a countrywide traffic law enforcement programme beginning next month to ensure compliance to statutory obligation in relation to road safety.