The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has announced plans to enhance the safety of school-going children by introducing advanced safety features on school buses.
In a statement released on Tuesday, January 15, NTSA outlined its intention to integrate a ‘Stop Signal Arm and dual red-light indicator’ onto school buses, marking a significant step toward improving traffic management and child safety.
The proposed features are part of the Draft Traffic (School Transport) Rules 2025, which the government is finalizing to address safety concerns involving children during transit.
“To enhance the safety of our children, the Draft Traffic ( School Transport ) Rules 2025, envisions that where a vehicle is over 30 feet, the vehicle shall install reflectorized red stop signal arms on the front and rear right hand,” part of the statement read.
“The Stop Signal Arm and dual red-light indicator shall be used by the vehicle while it is at least thirty meters from a stop or is stopped on a road to permit school children to board or alight from it,” the statement continued.
Aimed at reducing accidents
These features aim to minimize accidents involving school children, especially during peak traffic hours.
NTSA noted that school zones are often prone to chaos, with drivers failing to adhere to road safety guidelines.
The new safety measures are designed to enforce compliance among motorists while prioritizing the welfare of young learners.
“Motorists will be expected to stop until the arm folds away and the lights stop flashing,” NTSA affirmed.
The Authority also clarified that before one is licensed to transport children, the law obligates a driver to successfully undergo and pass; an annual assessment of criminal record, and an annual medical test carried out by a qualified medical practitioner.
“A school vehicle driver with a criminal record containing a conviction for child abuse and driving under the influence or other drugs shall be disqualified from being a school vehicle driver,” NTSA added.
On the issue of motorcycles transporting children, NTSA revealed that the proposals will include; a motorcycle rider carrying a school going child shall use the prescribed protective gear, a motorcycle rider shall ensure that a student carried on a motorcycle shall not have carried a hand luggage and all luggage shall be carried in the carrier or in a backpack. Additionally, the proposals shall prohibit a motorcycle rider from carrying any other luggage unless inside a carrier when transporting school children.
