The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RMTC) reveals that a large number of private scholar transport operators remain unruly and unwilling to comply with passenger regulations. This is despite high-profile fatal crashes and intensified law enforcement.
The corporation states that law enforcement operations conducted in all provinces indicate that of the 5 386 scholar transport vehicles stopped and checked in the previous week, 1 028 vehicles were found to have been operated in violation of existing traffic laws.
Approximately 589 vehicles were privately owned, 146 contracted by parents, 95 contracted by the Department of Transport, and 11 contracted by the Department of Basic Education, while seven were school-owned.
“Many were found to be operating without the necessary public scholar transport permits, while others were driven by drivers who did not possess, or failed to produce, driving licences and professional driving permits. The vehicles were found to have multiple defects relating to, among others, tyres, brakes, rear stop lamps, and 500 traffic fines were issued while 219 vehicles were impounded and two were discontinued.”
According to RMTC, most transgressors were between the ages of 18 and 35, followed by those aged between 35 and 45.
