JMPD targets scholar transport
Scholar transport is being monitored by the authorities following a devastating crash in Soweto.
The Member of the Mayoral Committee for Public Safety, councillor Michael Sun, has urged parents and schools to pay extra attention to the condition of the vehicles and drivers ferrying learners to and from schools.
Sun’s appeal follows a devastating accident in Soweto on 28 August which left 13 young learners injured.
After the crash, it was learnt that the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol.
Vehicle roadworthiness, physical fitness of the drivers and driver compliance with the legal requirements for school transport operators, were among the things Sun encouraged parents to be on the lookout for.
Sun also expressed his concern over the lack of regulation of scholar transportation by provincial and national government departments.
Following the crash, the Johannesburg Metro Police Department has intensified its stop-and-search operations geared towards ensuring the safety of scholar transportation.
The operation yielded positive results as 54 citations have been issued to drivers of unroadworthy scholar transportation vehicles. He said the infringements ranged from worn tyres to expired licences discs and overloading.
“The safety of our residents, especially our children, is top priority for the City. Many of the most gruesome accidents on our roads are caused by unroadworthy vehicles. We will continue with this operation to ensure that irresponsible vehicle owners are dealt with without delay,” said Sun.
Management at Panorama Primary School in Weltevreden Park has also raised concerns about overloading in school transport vehicles.
In an interview with the deputy principal, Leon Griffith, he said the school had warned parents about the scare in the scholar transport system. “Taxis carry 21 children and small cars carry about 12,” he said, “and this has been going on for a long time.”
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Scholar transport drivers defended themselves against the allegations. They said they assist each other by collecting learners from various schools in the area to save time and thereafter split the children into different vehicles according to their locations.
Read more on the subject in next week’s Roodepoort Northsider.
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