The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has published new regulations on school transportation which also stipulate the conduct of other motorists on the road.
In the Traffic (School Transport) Rules, 2024, which Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen prepared, all motorists will be banned from overtaking a school bus which will have extended its stop signs.
According to the regulations, all school buses will be fitted with stop sign arms and flashing red lights that will be used to communicate with other motorists on activities of the bus - either embarking or disembarking of students.
"All drivers must stop and not attempt to overtake a school vehicle when the stop signal arm has been extended and the red light indicators on the uppermost part of the front and rear sides of the school vehicle are flashing.
"Anyone who fails to stop if guilty of an offence and liable upon conviction in addition to any penal penalties having their driving licences suspended for a minimum period of six months," read the proposal in part.
On the other hand, it will also be an offence to overtake other vehicles near learning institutions.
This is aimed at ensuring the safety of children. Notably, those who violate these proposed guidelines will face a fine not exceeding Ksh20,000.
Stop Sign Arms & Red Light Indicators
As detailed in the new proposals, all vehicles involved in school transportation will be fitted with stop arms as practised in other countries in Europe.
The stop arms will be extensions that will be fitted on the front and rear right-hand side of the buses.
On the other hand, all school buses will be fitted with red indicators.
"Each school vehicle shall be fitted with a dual red light indicator on the uppermost part of the front and rear sides of the bus," read the statement in part.
"The driver shall use the stop signal arm and dual red light indicator on the uppermost part of the front and rear sides of the vehicle signs while the students are crossing the roads," read the regulations in part.
