Gauteng scholar transport saferty

Gauteng Department of Roads and Safety will check on scholar transport safety. Image: Supplied

Back to school: Gauteng intensify its scholar transport safety operations

Gauteng Department of Roads and Safety will check on scholar transport safety.

Gauteng scholar transport saferty

Gauteng Department of Roads and Safety will check on scholar transport safety. Image: Supplied

Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics Kedibone Diale-Tlabela will join various law enforcement operations early Monday 16 January 2023 in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni to intensify scholar transport safety operations.

MEC INTENSIFY ITS SCHOLAR TRANSPORT SAFETY OPERATIONS

This Gauteng scholar transport safety operations is part of intensified efforts to clamp down on unroadworthy and non-compliant scholar transport vehicles.

ALSO READ: BACK TO SCHOOL: Scholar transport safety for children on focus

GAUTENG MEC WANTS TO ENSURE SCHOLAR TRANSPORT VEHICLES ARE ROADWORTHY

MEC Diale-Tlabela says the department wants to ensure that the vehicles and drivers transporting learners are in good condition and compliant.

“Furthermore, as part of Aga Le Rona Road maintenance programme, the department’s road maintenance teams will be fixing potholes and road signage in the area.”

Diale-Tlabela

ALSO READ: ‘Mass casualty collision’: Five people killed in Roodepoort accident

The Department of Transport has urged parents, guardians and institutions to ensure that vehicles transporting children are roadworthy and are not overloaded.

PARENTS MUST ALSO CHECK SCHOLAR TRANSPORT

The department further tipped the parents and guardians to be mindful of the validity of the vehicle’s operating disc.

ALSO READGauteng Traffic Police caution Scholar Transport operators [PICS]

SCHOLAR TRANSPORT SAFETY TIPS FOR PARENTS TO CHECK

Here are more tips from the Department of Transport:

  • A driver transporting learners must have a professional driving permit.
  • A vehicle transporting children must have a valid operating license, which should have the route, timetable, and validity period clearly stated on it.
  • Children should be transported in a suitable vehicle, and this does not include the back of a bakkie. 
  • Never allow your child to be overloaded in a vehicle. Protect your child and put their safety first when getting them transported to school.

ALSO READGauteng school pupil, 9, dies in scholar transport accident

Diale-Tlabela also visited a crash scene on Thursday, 12 January 2023 where five people died and several others were injured.

The accident happened after a truck crashed at Hendrick Potgieter and Peter roads on Ruimsig, Roodepoort.

“Preliminary information suggests that a refuse truck allegedly failed brakes and plunged into people at an informal taxi rank near Featherbrooke Village.

“Five people sadly lost their lives while several others were injured and transported to various hospitals.”

Kedibone Diale-Tlabela

Diale-Tlabela conveyed her deepest condolences to the families and friends of the people who lost their lives. She also wishes the injured people a speedy recovery.