The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has explained the eight roles of school transport vehicle drivers as contained in the Draft Traffic (School Transport) Rules 2025.
In a statement on Thursday, January 16, NTSA said the drivers have been given critical responsibilities.
To begin with, the drivers should be fully in charge of the vehicle and be responsible for the health, safety and welfare of each passenger.
The drivers should always operate the school vehicle safely and efficiently.
Additionally, they must conduct thorough pre-trip and post-trip checks on the vehicle to ensure that the vehicle and safety equipment is serviceable and that no child is left on board the vehicle.
NTSA said the drivers will ensure that the vehicle is clean and secure.
They will also ensure that a child disembarking from a motor vehicle has safely disembarked and has cleared up to a safe distance.
Besides, the drivers will use the Stop Signal Arm and dual red-light indicator when it is at least thirty meters from a stop or is stopped on the road to permit school children to board or alight from it.
NTSA Draft Traffic Rules 2025
NTSA has been providing updates on the new rules and how they will enhance the safety of school children.
In the rules, all schools will use vehicle attendants in their transport vehicles.
Schools are also required to have crossing guards responsible for directing, controlling, and managing traffic at school entry and exit points or designated pedestrian crossings.
Also Read: NTSA Introduces New Traffic Rules for Schools Buses
Further, school buses will be installed with a ‘stop signal arm’ device to alert other drivers when they are dropping or picking up students.
“Motorists will be expected to stop until the arm folds away and the lights stop flashing.,” NTSA said.
The rules require all vehicles transporting children to display the words “school bus” on the front and rear and the words “Do not pass when red lights are flashing” in block letters at least 8 inches high in black on the rear.
Also Read: NTSA Issues Two-Week Ultimatum Over Unregistered Vehicles
Additionally, the vehicle must display a phone number for complaints after the phrase “in case the vehicle is being driven recklessly.”
The rules also state that reflectorized red stop signal arms must be installed on the front and rear right-hand sides of vehicles over 30 feet in length.
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