The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has issued fresh guidelines to motorists across the country as students prepare to return to school.
In a statement released on Thursday, August 22, the authority highlighted the need for heightened awareness among motorists due to the anticipated traffic from school children.
“With schools re-opening in the coming week, all road users must be cognizant that there will be increased travel of school children across the country,” read the statement in part.
NTSA Director General George Njao emphasized the importance of road safety during this busy period, emphasizing that past violations have led to serious accidents.
“Previously, we witnessed violations that in some instances resulted in both fatal and serious injuries,” Njao stated.
“The Authority notes that dangerous driver behaviors such as speeding, reckless overtaking, use of un-roadworthy vehicles, drunk driving, driver fatigue, carrying of excess passengers, use of unfamiliar routes have been attributed to some of the reported crashes.”
Also Read: Drama as NTSA Impounds 14-Seater Matatu Carrying 31 Students
Motorists Urged to Prioritize Student Safety
As a result, NTSA urged all road users including private car owners, Public Service Vehicle operators, and school management, to prioritize student safety by adhering to traffic regulations.
Furthermore, he stressed that vehicles transporting children must be in good condition, properly insured, and equipped with functional speed limiters.
“Private motorists, Public Service Vehicle operators, school management and parents/guardians have an enormous responsibility of ensuring the safety of our children.”
“It is prudent that the vehicles ferrying children are insured, roadworthy, fitted with functional speed limiters that transmit data to the NTSA Intelligent Road Safety Management System (IRSMS) and compliant with licensing requirements including having valid road service licences, inspection certificate among others,” said the Director General.
Also Read: Vehicle Ferrying Students in Boot Impounded in Back-to-School Crackdown
NTSA Announces Heighted Compliance Checks
Also, NTSA said it would intensify patrols and compliance checks as well as conduct public awareness campaigns to promote responsible driving during this back-to-school period.
“During this back-to-school period, the ongoing NPS enforcement, NTSA safety compliance checks and the Usalama Barabarani education programme will be heightened across the country.”
The Director General reiterated that road safety is a shared responsibility and called on drivers to exercise caution so as to ensure the safety of students on the roads.
“We call upon all motorists to play their part as road safety is a shared responsibility,” concluded the statement.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates.
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C
