The transportation and safety of school children will now be governed by law following the amendments of the Traffic Bill 2014.

The Bill, is an act of Parliament which seeks, to amend the Traffic Act, Cap 403 in order to provide for road safety measures for protecting school children and to provide for enforcement mechanisms for speed limits and for connected purposes.

The new amendments for instance limits speed within school areas to 30 kilometer per hour.

“A person shall not drive, or, being the owner or person in charge of a motor vehicle, cause or permit any other person to drive any motor vehicle at a speed exceeding thirty kilometres per hour;

(a) on any road within the boundaries of a nursery, primary and secondary school;

or

(b) at a section on any road ordinarily used by children when crossing to or from school, as may be designated as a pedestrian crossing by the Highway Authority or county government.”

The Bill which is sponsored by Joseph Lekuton (Laisamis), mandates the Highway Authorities and county governments to erect, construct and maintain speed limiting road design features such as speed bumps, rumble strips, and traffic circles and traffic signs on such roads.

It also authorizes the Transport Cabinet secretary to enact regulations on the maximum number of children that a school bus can carry and enact continuous inspection of vehicles carrying children to and from school.

CRIMINAL OFFENSE

The Bill also makes it a criminal offense for, ‘a person who, being the owner, manager, teacher of a school or a driver of a motor vehicle used for transporting children to or from school, who authorizes or permits the use of a motor vehicle used for transporting children to or from school or is negligent to prevent contravention of the stipulated regulations.’

The offense attracts a fine not exceeding fifty thousand or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both.

A new Section (105B) has also been introduced to outlaw the use of unlicensed motor vehicles from transporting school children.

105B (1) A person or institution shall not designate or use a motor vehicle for transporting children to and from school or school or non-school related activity unless the motor vehicle is licensed under this Act for that purpose and meets the requirements of this Act and any prescribed standards.

The purpose of the Bill is to ensure safety of children on the road especially around school or when using school transport and for enhancing speed limits enforcement measures