The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has appealed to all schools to promote road safety ahead of the expected reopening of schools countrywide next week.

In a statement the authority issued on Tuesday, the Authority said it has intensified awareness of children's safety as schools reopen in a week's time, in a continuing effort to ensure road safety through education.

The initiative is aimed at educating drivers, parents, guardians and school-going children regarding the prevention of the #Fatal Six behaviours and safety within school zones.

“School reopening is a time when there is a greater risk due to the fact that there are more children on the road early morning and late afternoon when visibility is poor. Risk factors such as speeding within school environments, unsafe school transportation, lack of children supervision while crossing the roads, lack of child-friendly road infrastructure among others are known for endangering the lives of school-going children,” NTSA said.

NTSA urged all drivers to slow down whenever they are driving within school zones and watch out for children using the road.

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“As schools reopen, we urge all drivers to slow down while approaching, driving through school zones and to watch out for children heading to and from school,” the authority said.

NTSA also advised that during the rainy season, being respectful and mindful of road users also calls for drivers not to splash water on those on the roadsides.

The authority also asked the school management bodies to play their part in the promotion of road safety by conducting demonstrations for road safety practices and cultivating a culture of safety in the children.

PHOTO/COURTESY

“On its part, school management should also promote road safety throughout the year by demonstrating basic road safety rules such as the 'Look Left, look Right, look left again' rule during assembly time. By inculcating the culture of safety in our young ones, we will build a generation of safe road users for the future,” NTSA advised.

The authority also asked the school management bodies to ensure school transport vehicles comply with the required safety standards and the drivers are also competent.

“Additionally, they should ensure school transport is safe, roadworthy and fitted with seatbelts while at the same time the drivers have the requisite training and experience to ferry children,” NTSA said.

The Authority said that as part of the Usalama Barabarani Programme, it will continue engaging various stakeholders in supporting the ongoing children's safety programmes.