NTSA Reveals New Rules For School Buses

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) on Wednesday, January 15 announced new measures in a bid to enhance the safety of learners while using school vehicles, including school vans and buses.

NTSA revealed in a statement that these measures are outlined in the Draft Traffic (School Transport) Rules 2025. They see the introduction of a new feature for school buses over 30 feet.

These vehicles will be required to have reflectorized red stop signal arms on the front and rear right hand. The arms would be used by the vehicle while it is at least thirty meters from a stop and when it stops to allow school children to alight or board.

"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 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," NTSA stated.

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

It added that the signal arm will extend outwards from the side of a school bus, signalling other motorists to stop and avoid passing while the bus is loading or unloading students. Motorists on the road will be expected to stop until the arm folds away and the lights stop flashing.

For those not in the know, the stop-arms are a feature commonplace in school buses in developed countries such as the United States of America (USA).

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.

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.  

In the new measures, NTSA further intimated that crossing guards will be used 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.

It also added that vehicle attendants will be used 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.

"Pick and drop-off hours within school zones can be very dangerous for children and measures must be taken to safeguard their safety," NTSA stated.

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.

On March 19, 2024, Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen, then Transport, revealed that the government finalised the drafting of the School Transport Rules aimed at better regulating and enhancing the safety of pupils and students using school buses in the country. However, the CS did not reveal if the new regulations will also apply to university buses.

This especially came after a grisly accident occurred along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway on Monday involving a Kenyatta University bus and a trailer. This accident resulted in the death of 11 students while 20 people sustained severe injuries.