Drivers who are medically unfit or lack the appropriate licence category will not be allowed to transport school learners under new regulations announced by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The Authority has also barred drivers who lack a valid Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badge or operate vehicles while under the influence of drugs and alcohol from carrying students.

NTSA said these are part of measures to reduce road crashes involving school transport, standardise school transport operations and hold transport providers accountable for non-compliance.

NTSA Road Safety Manager Eva Nyawira said the regulations were informed by alarming data showing that children account for over 30 per cent of road crash victims in Kenya.

📌 What You Need to Know

“30 per cent of all the crashes that we observe on our roads involve children under the age of 18, so that is a big number, and as educators, we really need to deal with this,” Nyawira said.

According to the guidelines, every driver ferrying learners must be authorised , qualified and medically fit before being allowed behind the wheel of a school vehicle.

“In terms of driver requirement, the person must be authorised, qualified, have an appropriate licence category, have a PSV badge and be medically fit,” Nyawira stated.

She further noted that drivers must fully understand the routes they operate to ensure the safe and efficient transportation of learners.

Besides driver requirements, NTSA has introduced strict standards for school vehicles, including mandatory roadworthiness checks and regular inspections.

“The provisions on school vehicles include ensuring these school vehicles are roadworthy, regularly inspected, have a functional seatbelt for every child, and have a functional speed governor,” Nyawira explained.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke