Authorities urge increased road safety as schools reopen

As schools prepare to reopen in the coming days, authorities have issued a strong call to motorists, transport operators, school administrators, and parents to prioritize the safety of children returning to school.

With thousands of learners expected back on the roads, all road users have been urged to strictly observe traffic rules, plan their journeys carefully, and avoid night travel due to reduced visibility and increased risk of accidents.

Vehicle owners, particularly those transporting schoolchildren, are expected to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and fully compliant with the law.

This includes proper maintenance and possession of valid insurance, road service licenses, and inspection certificates following the long school holiday.

Parents and guardians have been cautioned against allowing children to board non-compliant vehicles.

Recent compliance checks and inspections revealed serious safety defects in some school transport vehicles, including faulty or non-functional speed limiters, defective brakes, missing or damaged seat belts, unstable seats, and malfunctioning door locks.

Motor vehicle owners have been advised to utilize the remaining days before schools reopen to present their vehicles for mandatory annual inspections.

All National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) motor vehicle inspection centers are reported to be open and fully operational.

Additionally, speed limiter vendors have been directed to ensure that all devices installed on vehicles meet the requirements of KS 2295:2018.

This includes proper speed limiting, data storage, and real-time transmission of information to the NTSA system.

Authorities emphasized that collective responsibility and strict adherence to safety measures can significantly reduce risks and help ensure the safe return of children to school.

They also reassured the public that multi-agency road safety compliance checks will continue uninterrupted to uphold the highest safety standards for school transport.