JOHANNESBURG - The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and ChildSafe South Africa are appealing to parents and guardians to play an active role in ensuring their children’s safety on the daily commute to school.
With road traffic injuries among the leading causes of injury and death for children aged five to 14, the two organisations stress that parental vigilance is the first and most critical line of defence against unroadworthy vehicles and unlicensed operators.
In 2024, children in this age group accounted for 5.61 percent of the 12,172 road fatalities recorded nationally.
RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane described the figure as unacceptable, noting that many of these deaths could have been prevented.
“Parents must understand that road safety starts at home, before a child gets into any vehicle transporting them,” he said.
ChildSafe South Africa Executive Director Zaitoon Rabaney echoed this message, emphasising that while law enforcement continues to monitor scholar transport, parents should conduct a basic safety inspection of vehicles used to transport their children.
“If a vehicle appears unroadworthy or something doesn’t feel right, parents should make alternative arrangements,” she said.
Parents are urged to verify drivers’ credentials before allowing children to board.
Drivers must hold a valid Professional Driving Permit (PDP), and parents should physically check the driver’s licence card to ensure it is current and matches the person driving.
The same standards should apply to substitute or backup drivers.
Vehicle compliance is equally critical.
Scholar transport vehicles must display a valid operating licence issued by the Provincial Regulatory Entity, as well as a current licence disc on the windscreen.
Parents should check tyres for sufficient tread and visible damage and remember that transporting learners in the back of bakkies or open trucks is both illegal and extremely dangerous.
Overloading remains a major concern.
Parents should ensure that each child has a seat and a functioning seatbelt, and they are encouraged to confirm that operators carry Passenger Liability Insurance to protect learners in the event of an accident.
Clear communication and accountability are also essential.
Parents should keep the driver’s contact details, as well as an emergency number for the transport owner, and expect timely updates about delays or route changes.
Knowing which association an operator belongs to can also help if complaints need to be lodged.
The RTMC and ChildSafe South Africa say they will continue working together on national school zone safety initiatives.
Parents who encounter unsafe or non-compliant scholar transport operators are urged to report them immediately to the RTMC or local traffic authorities.