The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has directed motorists intending to ferry students back to schools upon resumption of learning to ensure that their vehicles are compliant with the road safety standards.

This is after random compliance checks revealed that many motorists were in breach of the regulations, while others failed to turn up for inspection in the recent past.

The authority has since warned parents against booking their children on unroadworthy vehicles.

“From our systems, we have flagged 315,000 public service vehicles and commercial vehicles (Tare Weight 3049Kgs and above) operating without valid motor vehicle inspection certificates, and all the owners have been notified to undertake immediate remedial measures,” said NTSA Director General George Njao.

“Additionally, we request members of the public not to board or allow school children to be transported in unroadworthy vehicles.”

NTSA revealed that some school transport vehicles were operating without speed limiters, while others had expired or faulty gadgets that didn’t transmit data to the authority for monitoring.

Seat belts were either missing or defective in some vehicles, with some of them being flagged for having poor interior and outside conditions due to poor maintenance.

“Several vehicles had poor seat anchorage, lacked anti-roll bars that are crucial for the stability of the vehicle while others had no Vehicle Identification Number plate. The standard guides that motor vehicles must be constructed by approved body builders and assessed by approved conformity assessors,” stated Njao.

He added: “Certain vehicles exhibited faulty suspension (worn shock absorbers) and defective steering systems (worn tie rods).” 

Traffic police officers have been directed to ensure compliance.

NTSA’s warning comes amid a rise in road accidents over the last two weeks, including a deadly crash at the Coptic Roundabout in Kisumu on Friday, August 8, where 26 passengers were killed.

The accident involved a school bus.