The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has issued an important message to all Kenyan drivers ahead of the Christmas festivities.

In an advertisement on the local dailies, NTSA announced to motorists that there will be a one-hour time limit for all stalled vehicle to be towed.

According to the Authority, failure to adhere to this regulation will see motorists incur a cost.

"The Authority wishes to notify the public that in line with its mandate and pursuant to Section 106 (1) of the Traffic Act all stalled vehicles on the roads must be removed within one hour upon stalling,” the statement read in part.

NTSA emphasised that driver must put proper signage on the road once their vehicle stalls in order to alert other road users.

"Stalled vehicles that are not removed within the cautionary hour, will be towed to the nearest Police Station at the owner’s cost under Section 106 (1) of the Traffic Act,” NTSA notified.

The affected motorist should also alert NTSA on 0718555999 or the National Police Service on 999/911.

Previously, there was no specific time as to when a stalled vehicle was to be towed. According to the Traffic Act, the vehicles were to be removed as soon as possible.

“The driver of any vehicle shall, in case of a break-down, remove the vehicle from the road as soon as possible, and until so removed the vehicle shall be placed as close to the side of the road as possible; and as the vehicle remains on the road between the hours of 6.45 p.m. and 6.15 a.m., its position shall be clearly indicated by a light or lights visible to drivers of vehicles approaching from either direction,” the Traffic Act stipulates.

This comes after a grisly accident on Thika-Garissa Highway Sunday night where 18 people were killed.