The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has strongly urged bus operators and drivers to prioritize safety following a troubling incident in Ba, where a bus carrying children was stranded in fast-rising floodwaters. Fortunately, all passengers were successfully evacuated, but LTA’s Chief Executive Officer Irimaia Rokosawa stressed that those who compromise public safety will face strict enforcement actions.
Rokosawa also addressed a separate incident involving a bus driver who received a Traffic Infringement Notice after a video surfaced on social media, showing students dangerously riding on the edges of open windows. This has raised significant concerns regarding overcrowding, reckless behavior among passengers, and negligent driving practices.
“No child should be forced to travel in unsafe conditions due to overloading,” Rokosawa stated. He emphasized the importance for drivers to ensure that all students are seated safely before departure and to take swift action against any unsafe behavior. Moreover, he underscored the necessity of vehicle maintenance and obeying licensing requirements, reminding stakeholders that school buses must undergo regular inspections to ensure their safety, focusing on brakes, tires, lights, mirrors, and emergency exits.
This proactive response highlights the LTA’s commitment to ensuring safe travel for students on school buses. By reinforcing the shared responsibility of drivers and operators to maintain safe transportation conditions, the LTA aims to prevent future incidents and improve passenger safety for all. The emphasis on strict adherence to safety regulations is a positive step toward fostering a safer environment for children during their commutes.