With the academic year in full swing, the EMPD stated that it would ensure scholar transport safety across the city.

It urges parents and guardians to prioritise learner safety by working with law enforcement to ensure scholar transport operators comply with the prescribed transport safety standards.

Parents and guardians should ensure that:
• The driver has a valid driver’s licence with a Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) and is reputable;
• The vehicle is roadworthy and, when applicable, affiliated with a recognised scholar transport association. Vehicles must be suitable for transporting learners, with fixed seats for each child and working seat belts;
• Parents must have the details of the driver transporting their children, including their ID number, home address and contact details.

“Overloading remains a concern, as it places learners at serious risk and is prohibited. The EMPD takes scholar transport safety seriously and can impound unroadworthy or illegally operated vehicles,” said the metro police, which will continue monitoring, inspecting and enforcing compliance in this regard.

It emphasised that collaboration between schools, parents and law enforcement is crucial to put learner safety first and mitigate the risk of incidents caused by traffic law violations.

The National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 prescribes that scholar transport must be safe, regulated and authorised.