The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has urged all road users to exercise heightened caution as schools prepare to reopen in the coming days, warning that children face increased risks during the busy back-to-school period.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Authority said private motorists, public transport operators, school administrators, and parents all share responsibility in ensuring the safety of learners commuting to and from school.
“With schools reopening in just a few days, thousands of children will be travelling across the country. We urge all road users to strictly comply with traffic rules, plan their journeys adequately, and avoid night travel due to reduced visibility,” the statement read.
NTSA noted that vehicle owners transporting school-going children must ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and fully compliant with the law. This includes having valid insurance, road service licences, and up-to-date inspection certificates.
Parents and guardians were also cautioned against allowing children to board vehicles that do not meet safety standards.
“Previous compliance inspections have revealed serious defects in some school transport vehicles, including faulty or non-transmitting speed limiters, defective brakes, missing or malfunctioning seat belts, unstable seats, and broken door locks,” the Authority said.
To address these concerns, NTSA advised vehicle owners to take advantage of the remaining days before schools reopen to present their vehicles for mandatory inspection, noting that all NTSA inspection centres remain open and operational.
The Authority further directed speed limiter vendors to ensure all devices meet the required KS 2295:2018 standards, including proper functionality, data storage, and real-time transmission to NTSA systems.
NTSA added that multi-agency road safety compliance operations will continue across the country to enforce adherence to traffic regulations and enhance road safety.
“By working together and adhering to these measures, we can significantly reduce risks and ensure the safe return of our children to school,” the statement said.