Reckless, careless and dangerous driving: the penalties
Traffic Act · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Reckless or dangerous driving can mean a fine of up to KSh 100,000 or up to 2 years in jail on a first conviction, and the court must cancel the licence and bar the driver for 2 years. Causing someone's death by reckless or dangerous driving carries up to 10 years in jail and a 3-year ban.
- Where
- Police to report a dangerous driver or crash; the courts decide charges; the driver's insurer for compensation
Steps
- To report a dangerous driver or a crash, call the police on 999, 112 or 911, or go to the nearest police station.
- Charges are decided in court. On conviction for reckless driving, the court must cancel the licence and bar the driver for 2 years from conviction.
- If you were hurt, you can claim compensation. Once you have a court judgment against an insured driver, the driver's insurer must pay it.
Watch out
- Careless driving (no due care or consideration for others) is a separate, lesser offence: up to 1 year or KSh 100,000 first time, up to 2 years or KSh 200,000 after that.
- A driver charged with reckless driving can be convicted of careless driving instead.
- Careless driving can also cost you your licence for 12 months.
- After a reckless-driving conviction you cannot hold or get a driving licence for 2 years from the date of conviction.
Who this covers
- Applies to anyone driving a motor vehicle on a road, and protects everyone else using it.
Official sources (3)
- Traffic Act (Cap. 403) new.kenyalaw.org · read 2 Oct 2026
- National Police Service - Kenya Police kenyapolice.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Insurance (Motor Vehicle Third Party Risks) Act (Cap. 405) new.kenyalaw.org · read 2 Oct 2026