Explained: Free-wheeling and the safety risks behind NTSA’s advisory
By Aloys Michael, December 21, 2025The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has cautioned drivers against engaging in dangerous driving practices such as free-wheeling, noting that the habit poses serious road safety risks.
The warning follows ongoing nationwide crackdowns aimed at reducing traffic accidents and saving lives on Kenyan roads.
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 on road safety
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:
It leads to loss of engine braking, meaning drivers are deprived of the natural slowing power provided by the engine, which helps control vehicle speed on hills and in heavy traffic.
Without gear engagement, vehicle control and stability are reduced, making it harder to manoeuvre through corners, on uneven road surfaces, or during emergencies, thereby increasing the risk of skidding or losing control.
The practice also delays driver reaction in emergencies, as free-wheeling limits the ability to accelerate quickly to avoid obstacles or sudden hazards, potentially costing crucial response time.
In addition, free-wheeling places excessive strain on the braking system because the engine does not assist in slowing the vehicle, leading to increased brake wear and a higher risk of brake failure, particularly on long downhill stretches.
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.