The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has
appealed to motorists and all road users to exercise extra caution on the roads
as schools across the country prepare to close in the coming weeks.
In a statement, the Authority noted that thousands of
learners will soon be travelling home, making it a particularly sensitive
period for road safety.
To safeguard children and other road users, NTSA said it is
intensifying the #WatotoWafikeSalama (Let the Children Arrive Safely) campaign
through education, heightened patrols, and strict enforcement along major
transport corridors.
“With schools set to close in the coming weeks, children
across the country will be eagerly heading home,” NTSA said.
“The Authority, in partnership with various stakeholders,
will heighten Operation #WatotoWafikeSalama Campaign through road safety
education, intensifying patrols and enforcement initiatives along major
transport corridors.”
The agency further warned that ongoing wet weather
conditions being experienced in many parts of the country are increasing risks
on the roads.
Slippery surfaces and reduced visibility, it said, make
driving more hazardous, particularly for public transport vehicles carrying
school children.
“Motorists must mitigate these dangers and ensure the safe
journey of every child,” NTSA urged.
As part of its safety appeal, the Authority listed key
precautions for all motorists to observe during the school-closing period.
Drivers were urged to model responsible behavior by strictly
obeying traffic rules, adjusting to rainy conditions by maintaining safe
speeds, and avoiding flooded roads entirely in line with the “Turn around,
don’t drown” principle.
In addition, NTSA reminded drivers and guardians to ensure
that all children wear seatbelts throughout their journeys and that vehicles
are in good condition — with special attention to tires, brakes, wipers, and
lights — to ensure they can perform well in wet weather.
“The safety of children during school closures is a
collective responsibility that demands action. We must all play our part to
ensure children travel home safely,” the Authority stated.
NTSA’s renewed focus on learner safety comes amid concerns
over an increase in road accidents involving school transport and public
service vehicles during school opening and closing seasons.
Data from past years has shown that these periods often record
a spike in traffic incidents due to high passenger volumes, fatigue among
long-distance drivers, and poor adherence to safety regulations.
The Authority reiterated that ensuring the safety of
children on the road requires collaboration among motorists, parents, transport
operators, law enforcement officers, and the general public.
