Key Takeaways
- The Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy, has launched a blitz inspection of scholar transport in Lenasia following a horrific accident that claimed the lives of 14 school children.
- Over 60 scholar vehicles have been impounded for carrying more children than they were allowed to, including illegal transport vehicles and those without public driving permits (PDPs).
- A scholar driver has been arrested for carrying more children in his vehicle than was allowed.
- The minister is concerned about the roadworthiness of scholar transport vehicles and the lack of advanced driver training for drivers transporting children.
- The Road Traffic Management Corporation is investigating the cause of the Vanderbijlpark crash and will release a preliminary report on Thursday.
Introduction to the Blitz Inspection
The Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy, has taken swift action in response to the tragic accident that claimed the lives of 14 school children in Vanderbijlpark. She has launched a blitz inspection of scholar transport in Lenasia, aiming to ensure that all vehicles transporting children are roadworthy and compliant with regulations. During the inspection, Creecy was joined by Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa, and together they discovered numerous vehicles that were overloaded and operating without the necessary permits. One such vehicle was a Suzuki Ertiga that was licensed to carry only 7 passengers but was found to be transporting 14 scholars.
Concerns about Roadworthiness and Regulations
Creecy expressed her deep concern about the fact that vehicles that are not roadworthy are being used to transport children. She stated that her department has been focusing on official scholar transport vehicles procured by the Department of Education, but now they are shifting their attention to informal vehicles procured by parents. These informal vehicles often operate without the necessary permits and regulations, putting the lives of children at risk. Creecy emphasized the need for parents to understand the regulations that govern scholar transport and for drivers to have the necessary permits and training. The minister’s concerns are not limited to the roadworthiness of vehicles but also extend to the behavior of drivers, which is a critical factor in ensuring the safety of children during transportation.
Informal Vehicles and Lack of Regulations
The minister highlighted the issue of informal vehicles that are not procured by the department but by parents. These vehicles often operate without the necessary permits and regulations, and many drivers have admitted to not having the required permits. Creecy plans to address this issue with the MMC of education and transport to find a solution to ensure that these vehicles operate safely and legally. The lack of regulations and oversight has created a situation where many informal vehicles are operating with impunity, putting the lives of children at risk. To address this issue, Creecy plans to work with the relevant authorities to establish a framework that will regulate informal vehicles and ensure that they meet the necessary safety standards.
Advanced Driver Training
Creecy emphasized the importance of advanced driver training for drivers who transport children. She noted that driver behavior was a factor in the accident that took place earlier in the week and that advanced driver training is essential for drivers to understand how to drive responsibly and defensively when carrying children. The minister plans to introduce a regulation that requires drivers who transport students to have advanced driver training, as stipulated in Section 42[2] of the Transport Act. This regulation will help to ensure that drivers are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to operate vehicles safely and responsibly.
Accident Investigation and Preliminary Report
The Road Traffic Management Corporation is investigating the cause of the Vanderbijlpark crash in collaboration with local authorities. A preliminary report is expected to be released on Thursday, which will provide more information about the circumstances surrounding the accident. The investigation will help to identify the root causes of the accident and provide recommendations for preventing similar incidents in the future. The minister has assured the public that her department will take all necessary steps to ensure that scholar transport vehicles operate safely and that drivers are held accountable for their actions.
Conclusion and Recommendations
In conclusion, the Transport Minister’s blitz inspection of scholar transport in Lenasia has highlighted the need for urgent action to ensure that vehicles transporting children are roadworthy and compliant with regulations. The minister’s concerns about roadworthiness, regulations, and advanced driver training are well-founded, and her plans to introduce new regulations and training programs are a step in the right direction. To address the issue of informal vehicles, the minister should work with the relevant authorities to establish a framework that will regulate these vehicles and ensure that they meet the necessary safety standards. Additionally, the minister should consider implementing a system of regular inspections and monitoring to ensure that scholar transport vehicles operate safely and responsibly. By taking these steps, the minister can help to prevent similar accidents in the future and ensure that children are transported safely to and from school.