Nairobi, Kenya – As schools prepare to reopen on Monday, January 6, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has issued strict safety measures aimed at protecting students traveling back to school.
In a statement released on Saturday, NTSA underscored the critical role of all road users in ensuring children’s safety during the transition from the festive season to the new academic calendar. “Every effort must be made to prevent crashes that could result in fatalities or injuries,” the statement read.
NTSA raised alarm over widespread traffic violations observed during recent nationwide road safety checks, warning that such behavior endangers young passengers.
New Transport Rules for School Vehicles
To mitigate risks, NTSA outlined several mandatory requirements for vehicles transporting students:
- Valid insurance and inspection certificates to ensure roadworthiness.
- Functional speed limiters linked to NTSA’s Intelligent Road Safety Management System (IRSMS).
- Proper licensing, including valid road service permits.
Parents and guardians were urged to take an active role by verifying compliance of school transport vehicles. NTSA recommended using its free mobile app, available on the Google Play Store, to check the legitimacy of Public Service Vehicles (PSVs), drivers, and conductors.
“Children MUST NOT be allowed to board non-compliant vehicles,” NTSA emphasized.
Government Backing for Tougher Enforcement
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi reinforced NTSA’s efforts by directing the Authority to crack down on unlicensed and illegal PSVs masquerading as legitimate transport providers.
Also Read: Government Unveils New Traffic Rules And Penalties To Motorists
The Authority also called for community vigilance to report non-compliant vehicles and reckless drivers. “Community participation has proven effective in identifying and reporting rogue motorists. We urge citizens to remain proactive in advocating for safety,” NTSA stated.
Multi-Agency Crackdowns and Awareness Campaigns
To enforce the new measures, NTSA announced ongoing multi-agency road safety checks and its continued rollout of the Usalama Barabarani education programme. These initiatives aim to reduce road accidents and promote safe travel practices for schoolchildren.
As the academic year kicks off, NTSA’s stringent guidelines and nationwide awareness campaigns call for collaboration among motorists, school administrations, parents, and the public to protect Kenya’s most vulnerable road users.
For road safety updates and reporting non-compliance, citizens are encouraged to use NTSA’s mobile app or contact their hotline.
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