Scholar transport safety a priority

The Department of Transport has issued a strong warning to parents, guardians and scholar transport operators to prioritise learner safety as schools reopened.

- Koketšo Sekhwela

This follows growing national concern over road crashes involving children, with road traffic injuries remaining one of the leading causes of death among children aged five to 14 years. In 2024 alone, children in this age group accounted for 5.61% of the 12 172 road fatalities recorded nationally, a situation that remains unacceptable and preventable.

The department's media liaison officer, Tshifhiwa Dali emphasised that scholar transport safety is a shared responsibility that begins at home and extends to operators, law enforcement, and communities.