New Bill seeks to ensure safety of students during travel

By WILFRED AYAGA

Kenya: A new Bill is seeking to improve the safety of school children and students following a spate of traffic accidents in which learners have died or been hurt.

The Traffic Amendment Bill 2014 also regulates the movement of vehicles in areas frequented by school children.

Among the highlights is that all school buses should be painted in yellow colour, so that other motorists and authorities can easily identify them on the road.

All vehicles transporting children to school will be fitted with child safety equipment, design safety features and prescribed equipment.

“The vehicles will be painted in yellow colour and other signal as may be prescribed,” says the Bill, which seeks to amend the Traffic Act by inserting provisions for school transport.

Although most of the provisions in the Bill are part of government policy regulations, the ministry of Education has been handicapped by lack of an Act of Parliament that would aid in the implementation of the provisions.

States the Bill: “A person or institution shall not designate or use a motor vehicle for transporting children to and from school or non-school related activity unless the motor vehicle meets the requirements of this Act and any prescribed standards.”

This means that days when a school could hire any vehicle to transport children could end if the Bill is passed into law. Many schools which lack own buses contract private owners to do so, especially in the cities. The Bill also sets a minimum speed limit within areas that are frequented by school children. It is equally tough on institutions found transporting children between 10.00 pm and 6.00am.

“School buses are supposed to meet all the regulations as they do not operate under the traffic rules. We support the proposed Bill,” ministry spokesperson, Kennedy Buhere said.

The Bill sponsored by Chachu Ganya (North Horr MP) has received the support of parents.

Chairman of the Kenya Parents Association, Musau Ndunda said it is long overdue.

But according to Janet Muthoni-Ouko of Elimu Yetu Coalition, child safety should go beyond bus travel.