In light of recent fatal crashes involving scholar transport, Drive More Safely NPO has issued a strong appeal to parents to take greater responsibility for their children’s safety when using learner transport services.

Warning against overcrowded vehicles

The organisation has urged parents not to allow children to board vehicles that are already full, warning that overcrowding significantly increases the risk of injury during an accident.

Drivers and vehicles must be legally compliant

Parents are also encouraged to verify that drivers are legally compliant, including holding a valid driving licence, a valid Professional Driving Permit (PrDP), and official documentation confirming that the vehicle is contracted by a school for scholar transport.

Teaching children safe travel behaviour

Drive More Safely stressed the importance of teaching children how to behave responsibly while travelling. Learners should remain seated at all times, wear seatbelts where available, and avoid excessive noise that could distract the driver.

Children should also be taught to wait safely off the roadway for transport, rather than standing in the road, and to cross streets correctly instead of running across the road while cars are coming and going.

Safety should never be sacrificed to save money

The organisation cautioned parents against choosing unsafe transport in an attempt to save money, saying that the consequences could be devastating.
“Parents must remember that the lives of their children are precious,” the NPO said. “No financial saving is worth risking a child’s life. Love them, protect them and choose safety first.”

Reminder that prevention starts at home

Drive More Safely ended off by reminding parents that children are the future and that preventing tragedy starts with responsible decisions made every day.

The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.