NTSA announces patrols on major roads ahead of schools closure
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has appealed to motorists and all road users to exercise extra caution on the roads ahead of the school closings.
This comes amid data from past years that have shown that these periods often record a spike in traffic incidents due to high passenger volumes, fatigue among long-distance drivers, and poor adherence to safety regulations.
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In an X update on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, NTSA noted that thousands of learners will soon be travelling home, making it a particularly sensitive period for road safety.
To safeguard children and other road users, NTSA said it is intensifying the #WatotoWafikeSalama (Let the Children Arrive Safely) campaign through education, heightened patrols, and strict enforcement along major transport corridors.
“With schools set to close in the coming weeks, children across the country will be eagerly heading home,” the statement read in part.
The authority warned that the ongoing wet weather conditions being experienced in many parts of the country are increasing risks on the roads. Slippery surfaces and reduced visibility, it said, make driving more hazardous, particularly for public transport vehicles carrying school children.
“The Authority, in partnership with various stakeholders, will heighten Operation #WatotoWafikeSalama Campaign through road safety education, intensifying patrols and enforcement initiatives along major transport corridors. Motorists must mitigate these dangers and ensure the safe journey of every child,” NTSA urged.
Safety measures to observe
As part of its safety directive, the NTSA listed key precautions for all motorists to observe during the school-closing period.
It has urged drivers to embrace responsible behaviour by strictly obeying traffic rules, adjusting to rainy conditions by maintaining safe speeds, and avoiding flooded roads entirely in line with the “Turn around, don’t drown” principle.
Additionally, the authority reminded drivers and guardians to ensure that all children wear seatbelts throughout their journeys and that vehicles are in good condition, with special attention to tyres, brakes, wipers, and lights, to ensure they can perform well in wet weather.
“The safety of children during school closures is a collective responsibility that demands action. We must all play our part to ensure children travel home safely,” the Authority stated.
NTSA’s renewed focus on learner safety comes amid concerns over an increase in road accidents involving school transport and public service vehicles during school opening and closing seasons.
