NTSA Outlines New Red-Alert Feature on School Buses

School buses awaiting inspection by NTSA officials
School buses awaiting inspection by NTSA officials
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NTSA

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) on Tuesday, January 15, revealed a new feature set to be introduced on school buses to improve child safety. 

NTSA, through a statement, outlined plans to introduce a ‘Stop Signal Arm and dual red-light indicator’ that would be added onto school buses and aid during traffic flow.

The new feature is set to be part of the fresh directives in the Draft Traffic (School Transport) Rules 2025 as the government aims to address the issue of safety of school-going children. 

“To enhance the safety of our children, the Draft Traffic ( School Transport ) Rules 2025, envisions that where a vehicle is over 30 feet, the vehicle shall install reflectorized red stop signal arms on the front and rear right hand,” the statement read in part.

red light stop sign
The 'Stop Signal Arm and dual red-light indicator' that is set to be introduced in school buses across the country.
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NTSA

“The Stop Signal Arm and dual red-light indicator shall be used by the vehicle while it is at least thirty meters from a stop or is stopped on a road to permit school children to board or alight from it,” the statement continued.

With the new feature, motorists would be required to adhere to the reflectorised indicator and play their part in ensuring the protection of children. Failure to adhere to the indicator would attract stiff penalties.

“Motorists will be expected to stop until the arm folds away and the lights stop flashing,” NTSA affirmed. 

According to the draft law, anyone who fails to stop is guilty of an offence and upon conviction shall have their driving licenses suspended for at least 6 months.  

The proposed legislation also contains three additional proposals that will assist in improving the transport of learners in the country. One of the proposals is vehicle attendants in school transport vehicles. 

The attendants shall be responsible for assisting students during boarding and alighting and ensuring they maintain a safe distance from the vehicle. Further, the attendant shall secure students and equipment to ensure safe transport.

Also, the attendant will assist in monitoring student and equipment safety throughout the trip. Additionally, they will ensure students remain seated while the vehicle is in motion.

Other functions revolve around vehicle cleanliness and inspection, monitoring student behaviour, assisting the driver during complex traffic situations, and providing special assistance to students with disabilities. 

Another measure is crossing guards for purposes of directing, controlling and managing traffic at the areas of entry into or exit from a school, or at areas designated as pedestrian crossings.

Further, the legislation proposes that vehicles transporting children be printed the words “SCHOOL BUS” on the front and rear and the words “DO NOT PASS WHEN RED LIGHTS ARE FLASHING” at the rear in block letters at least 8 inches in black colour.  

This is in addition to the vehicle displaying the complaint phone number after the words “INCASE VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN RECKLESSLY CALL"

The proposed legislation was developed by the relevant stakeholders in the transport industry alongside the Ministry of Transport and NTSA.

Secondary school students
A group of secondary students walking in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD).
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