The National Transport and Safety Authority has urged all road users to take extra precautions to ensure the safety of children during the busy back-to-school period.

NTSA said this is because schools are set to reopen in just a few days.

The Authority said that private motorists, public transport operators, school administrators, and parents or guardians all share a responsibility in safeguarding young commuters.

Road users are being advised to strictly comply with traffic rules, plan journeys carefully, and avoid night travel due to reduced visibility.

“In just a few days, thousands of children will be heading back to school. Private motorists, public transport operators, school administrators, and parents/guardians all share a significant responsibility in safeguarding the safety of our children during this busy season. We urge all road users to strictly comply with traffic rules, plan their journeys adequately and avoid night travel due to reduced visibility,” the statement read.

Following the long holiday break, vehicle owners are expected to ensure that any transport used for children is properly maintained, roadworthy, and fully licensed.

This includes having valid insurance, road service licenses, and inspection certificates.

NTSA added that parents and guardians are also being urged not to allow children to board non-compliant vehicles.

According to the Authority, previous inspections revealed serious defects in some school transport vehicles, including faulty or non-transmitting speed limiters, defective brakes, missing or malfunctioning seat belts, unstable seats, and broken door locks.

“To further protect our children, we strongly appeal to parents and guardians: do not permit your children to board any non-compliant vehicles. Previous compliance checks and inspections highlighted major defects in school transport vehicles, including faulty or non-transmitting speed limiters, defective brakes, missing or faulty seat belts, unstable seats, and malfunctioning door locks, among other critical safety issues,” the statement read.

“We advise motor vehicle owners to take advantage of the next few days before schools reopen and present their vehicles for the mandatory annual inspection, as all NTSA motor vehicle inspection centers are open and operational.”

In addition, speed limiter vendors are directed to ensure that all installed devices meet the KS 2295:2018 standard. This includes proper functioning, speed limiting, data storage, and real-time transmission to the NTSA system.

The Authority said that by following these measures, the risks to children can be significantly reduced, ensuring a safe return to school.

NTSA added that multi-agency road safety compliance checks will continue uninterrupted to uphold the highest safety standards.

“By adhering to these measures and working together, we can significantly reduce risks and ensure the safe return of our children to school,” the statement read.

With thousands of students preparing to head back to classrooms, officials are emphasising that safety is a shared responsibility and that compliance with all traffic and vehicle regulations is essential.