NTSA sets tough requirements for vehicles transporting children returning to schools
NTSA urged parents and guardians to utilise its free mobile app to verify the essential details of public service vehicles, drivers, and conductors before allowing their children to board.
All vehicles transporting schoolchildren ahead of the reopening date on Monday, January 6, must meet specific requirements, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has announced.
The authority has said that such vehicles must have valid insurance, be roadworthy, and be equipped with functional speed limiters capable of transmitting data to the NTSA Intelligent Road Safety Management System (IRSMS).
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The vehicles must also comply with licensing standards, including having valid road service licenses and inspection certificates.
In a statement, NTSA urged parents and guardians to utilise its free mobile app to verify the essential details of public service vehicles, drivers, and conductors before allowing their children to board.
“We urge parents, guardians, caregivers, and the public not to allow children to board non-compliant vehicles to ensure their safety,” the authority said.
Heightened vigilance
NTSA also cautioned all road users to prioritise the safety of children as schools reopen, calling for heightened vigilance on the roads to reduce the risk of accidents.
The authority reminded motorists, parents, and guardians that road safety is a shared responsibility and that compliance with these measures is essential to safeguard young lives.
“As the festive season ends and the new academic school calendar begins, the authority urges all road users to prioritise the safety of our children as they travel back to school,” NTSA said.
“Every effort must be made to prevent crashes that might result in fatalities or injuries.”
NTSA noted that recent multi-agency road safety compliance checks across the country had uncovered widespread disregard for traffic rules, which could endanger children travelling to and from school.
The authority announced that the ongoing compliance checks and the Usalama Barabarani education programme would continue nationwide. It also urged all road users to adhere to the Highway Code, exercise caution, and reduce speeds near school zones to protect children.
“Private motorists, public service vehicle operators, school management, and parents or guardians have a huge responsibility to ensure the safety of our children,” said NTSA.
The authority called on the public to report non-compliant vehicles and reckless drivers, pledging to take appropriate action against those endangering road users.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility,” NTSA said, appealing to all road users to contribute towards protecting children and reducing traffic accidents.
