EXPLAINER: Understanding free-wheeling and why NTSA warns drivers against it

An accident scene, the Star illustrations

This is including free wheeling which it said contributes to loss of control and increased road risk.

The caution comes amid intensified road safety crackdowns nationwide as authorities work to reduce the number of crashes and fatalities.

What is Free Wheeling?

Free wheeling, also known as coasting, is a driving practice where a driver disengages the engine from the wheels, typically by shifting to neutral gear or depressing the clutch, so that the vehicle moves forward without engine power or engine braking.

While some drivers believe this may save fuel, driving authorities and safety experts say it can seriously compromise vehicle control and increase the risk of accidents.

According to the Kenya Learner Driver Handbook, free wheeling is risky because “the engine is not engaged”, which reduces a driver’s ability to brake with engine support and to accelerate quickly in an emergency.

The handbook notes that this practice can also increase pressure on the brake system and does not significantly save fuel.

NTSA’s road safety messaging

In a road safety campaign launch in Nakuru County, NTSA officials highlighted free-wheeling as a dangerous driving behaviour observed among some motorists, particularly on steep descents.

NTSA Nakuru Regional Manager John Parteroi noted that drivers “often engage in speeding, reckless overtaking, or free-wheeling, a dangerous practice where drivers disengage the gear to save fuel while descending steep slopes.”

He added that such reckless behaviour “endangers lives and would not be tolerated.”

He said the campaign aims to promote safer driving and reduce accidents.

Police and transport safety agencies have previously noted that engaging neutral gear on steep slopes can lead to loss of vehicle control, and local investigators have in the past suggested that free-wheeling may have been involved in certain crashes.

Why Free Wheeling is dangerous

Experts highlight several key risks associated with free wheeling:

• Loss of engine braking: With the engine disengaged, drivers lose the natural slowing power of the engine that helps control vehicle speed on hills and in heavy traffic.

• Reduced control and stability: Without gear engagement, vehicles are harder to manage through corners, on uneven surfaces, and in emergencies, which increases the likelihood of skidding or losing control.

• Delayed reaction in emergencies:Free wheeling prevents quick acceleration when needed to avoid obstacles or hazards, potentially costing valuable reaction time in critical moments.

• Brake strain: Because the engine does not assist in slowing the car, brakes must work harder, increasing wear and the risk of brake failure, especially on long descents.

NTSA’s broader safety push

NTSA’s warning on free wheeling fits into a wider safety campaign ahead of the busy festive and school reopening travel seasons.

In recent weeks, the authority has intensified nationwide road checks and joint operations with the police to enforce compliance with traffic laws, including sobriety tests, vehicle inspections and speeding enforcement.

The government has rolled out a nationwide traffic crackdown as part of enhanced security measures during the festive season, aimed at reducing road accidents and curbing corruption on major highways.

Earlier in the week, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said NTSA, working with the Traffic Police Department, has launched a coordinated operation targeting high-risk road corridors and major urban routes.

The operation is being implemented in line with resolutions of the National Council on the Administration of Justice and includes the deployment of officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to monitor enforcement and deter bribery.

Murkomen said the measures will involve joint multi-agency enforcement, increased police visibility and the use of both physical and electronic deterrence tools, with mobile courts to be deployed where necessary to ensure instant prosecution of offenders.

What drivers should do

Safety authorities recommend that motorists keep vehicles in gear, maintain proper speed, and avoid practices like free wheeling that reduce control.

Progressive braking, using engine braking in conjunction with foot braking, and staying in gear ensure better stability and quicker acceleration options when needed.

 As Kenya continues efforts to lower road accident figures, which have remained high in 2025, awareness and adherence to safe driving practices, including avoiding dangerous techniques like free wheeling, remain central to the NTSA’s message to all road users.