Key Takeaways
- The Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy, plans to introduce a new regulation requiring drivers who transport children to undergo advanced driver training.
- The regulation aims to ensure that drivers understand how to drive responsibly and defensively when carrying children.
- A recent accident in Vanderbijlpark, which resulted in the death of 14 pupils, highlights the need for improved safety measures in scholar transport.
- The driver of the mini bus taxi involved in the accident did not have a valid Professional Driving Permit and is facing charges of murder and attempted murder.
- Over 60 vehicles have been impounded in a scholar transport blitz operation due to lack of proper permits and roadworthiness.
Introduction to the New Regulation
The Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy, has announced plans to introduce a new regulation that will require all drivers responsible for transporting children to undergo advanced driver training. This move is aimed at ensuring that drivers understand how to drive responsibly and defensively when carrying children. The regulation is a provision in the act, and Creecy has stated that she will introduce it to prioritize the safety of children during transportation. The announcement comes after a recent accident in Vanderbijlpark, which resulted in the death of 14 pupils, highlighting the need for improved safety measures in scholar transport.
The Recent Accident in Vanderbijlpark
The accident in Vanderbijlpark occurred on Monday when a mini bus taxi collided with another vehicle on the R553 Golden Highway. The driver of the mini bus taxi, Ayanda Dludla, did not have a valid Professional Driving Permit at the time of the accident. Preliminary investigations point to reckless and negligent driving as the likely cause of the accident. The 22-year-old driver was arrested after being discharged from hospital and has been charged with 14 counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder. The accident has raised concerns about the safety of vehicles used to transport children to school, with many of them lacking proper permits and being not roadworthy.
Concerns about Scholar Transport Safety
The Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy, has expressed concerns about the safety of vehicles used to transport children to school. Many of these vehicles lack proper permits and are not roadworthy, posing a significant risk to the safety of the children being transported. The recent accident in Vanderbijlpark is a stark reminder of the dangers of reckless and negligent driving, and the need for improved safety measures in scholar transport. The introduction of the new regulation requiring advanced driver training for drivers who transport children is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to ensure that vehicles used for scholar transport are safe and roadworthy.
Scholar Transport Blitz Operation
In response to the concerns about scholar transport safety, a blitz operation has been launched to impound vehicles that are not roadworthy or lack proper permits. Over 60 vehicles have been impounded so far, highlighting the extent of the problem. The operation is a joint effort between the transport authorities and law enforcement agencies, and aims to ensure that vehicles used for scholar transport meet the required safety standards. The impounding of vehicles is a significant step towards improving safety, but it is also important to address the root causes of the problem, including the lack of enforcement of regulations and the absence of effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The introduction of the new regulation requiring advanced driver training for drivers who transport children is a positive step towards improving safety in scholar transport. However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of the problem, including the lack of enforcement of regulations and the absence of effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. The scholar transport blitz operation is a significant step towards improving safety, but it is also important to ensure that vehicles used for scholar transport are safe and roadworthy. The Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy, has taken a crucial step towards prioritizing the safety of children during transportation, and it is essential that other stakeholders, including parents, schools, and transport operators, also play their part in ensuring that children are safe during transportation.
