Etwatwa Secondary School pupils in Benoni on 9 March 2020. Picture: Gallo Images/OJ Koloti As the new school term gets underway, families across South Africa are being reminded that a child’s journey to and from school can be just as important as what happens in the classroom. Parents and caregivers have been called upon to take greater responsibility for how children travel each day, particularly when using scholar transport services with public schools set toreopen on 14 January 2026.
Road safety authorities warn that children between the ages of 5 and 14 remain among the most vulnerable road users, with traffic-related incidents continuing to claim young lives. According to figures by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), pupils made up just over 5% of more than 12 000 road deaths recorded nationwide in 2024, underscoring the urgent need for stronger preventive action. “This is an unacceptable situation as these unfortunate fatalities could have been prevented if proper precautions were taken.
“Parents must understand that road safety starts at home before a child gets into a vehicle that transports them,” RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane said in a jointstatement. Zaitoon Rabaney, executive director of ChildSafe South Africa, has emphasised that ensuring pupil safety cannot rest on authorities alone. She noted that while scholar transport operators are subject to inspection, parents and caregivers play a vital role in identifying potential risks by paying attention to the condition of the vehicles their children use. Rabaney urged parents to seek other transport options whenever a vehicle shows signs of being unsafe or not fit for the road.
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