With the long December holiday coming to an end, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has stepped up efforts to keep roads safe by directing motorists to present their vehicles for mandatory annual inspection ahead of school reopening.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, December 30, the authority said inspection centres across the country will remain open and operational as parents, school administrators and transport operators prepare to ferry learners back to school in early January.
NTSA said the inspections will zero in on safety issues that have repeatedly been flagged in past checks. These include faulty or non-functional speed limiters, worn-out brakes, missing or defective seat belts, unstable seats and doors that fail to lock properly.
“These defects may seem minor to some drivers, but they pose serious risks, especially when children are involved,” the authority noted.
Motorists have been urged to ensure their vehicles are not only mechanically sound but also fully compliant with the law. NTSA reminded drivers to have valid insurance cover, road service licences and up-to-date inspection certificates before hitting the road.
The authority also turned its attention to speed limiter vendors, warning that only devices that meet NTSA standards should be sold and installed. Such devices, NTSA said, must accurately control speed, store data and transmit information to the authority’s systems in real time.
As travel increases during the back-to-school rush, NTSA stressed that road safety is a shared responsibility.
“Private motorists, public transport operators, school administrators and parents or guardians all have a role to play in protecting our children during this busy period,” the authority said.
Parents and guardians were particularly urged to be vigilant and avoid placing children in unsafe vehicles.
“We strongly appeal to parents and guardians not to allow their children to board vehicles that are non-compliant,” NTSA said, noting that convenience should never outweigh safety.
With rains currently affecting several parts of the country and visibility reduced on some roads, motorists have also been advised to obey traffic rules and avoid unnecessary night travel.
NTSA said it will continue working closely with other law enforcement agencies to maintain a strong presence on major highways and ensure compliance with road safety regulations.
In less than two weeks, millions of learners in pre-primary, primary, junior and senior secondary schools, as well as universities and other tertiary institutions, are expected to report back for the first term of the 2026 academic year.
According to the Ministry of Education’s academic calendar, most schools will reopen before January 10, marking the start of a busy academic cycle after nearly two months of holidays.
NTSA has confirmed that the heightened compliance checks seen during the festive season will continue into the new school term as authorities seek to reduce accidents and ensure safer journeys for learners across the country.
