The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has sensitised Kericho residents about the new regulations regarding the Traffic (School Transport) Rules, 2024, and the Operations of Commercial Service Vehicles Regulations, 2024.
The forum that took place at the ACK Holy Trinity in Kericho town also enabled the participants to submit their views on the two regulations that will affect PSVs and school transport.
The NTSA Deputy Director of Licensing Board, Ava Nyawira, emphasised on licensing of all vehicles that operate as school transport vehicles and regular inspection of the vehicles to maintain them in good shape to avoid accidents.
Nyawira further observed that school principals and management play a key role in ensuring only qualified drivers and school vehicle attendants are hired as per the new rules and regulations.
“Installing stop signal arms on the front and rear right-hand sides of school vehicles will ensure the safety of our learners when they are being picked up and dropped off from school. This is a new measure that will be very beneficial in the school transport sector,” said Ms. Nyawira.
Also present was the Manager, of Legal Services at NTSA, Tom Abuga, who stressed the need for the installation of a vehicular telematic system on commercial vehicles as per the Kenya Bureau of Standards, saying commercial vehicle owners will be able to supervise the activities of their drivers and ensure proper adherence to road safety.
“A driver of a commercial service vehicle should ensure they are duly licensed to drive the class of commercial vehicle they are driving and not exceed the prescribed maximum driving hours. Failure to adhere to these rules will lead to a fine or imprisonment of not less than 6 months,” added Abuga.
Among the participants at the forum were school principals, police officers, National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), bodaboda operators, Public Service Vehicle operators, and Driving school representatives, among others.
Through the operation of Commercial Service Vehicle Regulations, (2024), NTSA seeks to regulate all commercial service vehicles whose tare weight is above 348 kilogrammes operating on a public road in Kenya. It also gives the NTSA the power to suspend or revoke any license issued under these Regulations in instances where the license holder fails or neglects to comply with the laws.
At the same time, the Traffic (School Transport) Rules, 2024, prohibit all drivers from overtaking school buses that have extended stop signs.
By Kibe Mburu and Zipporah Njambi
