New School Bus Regulations to Include Mandatory Telematics Installation for Safety Monitoring
According to Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, the Ministry of Transport plans to draft laws requiring schools to monitor school buses while on trips.
He noted that the laws will require schools to install vehicular telematics, allowing for better observation of bus operations.
Murkomen added that these procedures are critical for protecting student safety and giving school administrators tools to handle driver misconduct. Furthermore, the legislation will make schools responsible for driver management and vehicle maintenance.
Murkomen added that the decision to enforce the installation of this technology came after the tragic Londiani accident last year, which killed 52 people. Following the event, a committee was formed to finalize the specifications for suitable telematics for car installation.
He also emphasized the benefits of telematics, citing fewer truck accidents when some transportation companies installed this equipment, which included dash cameras.
Murkomen highlighted the importance of road safety at Mugoiri Girls High School in Murang’a County, particularly when it came to student transportation. He decried the rising number of road fatalities, emphasizing the need for the Ministry of Transport to enact laws to guarantee safety requirements are met.
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Murkomen announced that once the regulations are finalized, the Ministry of Education will work together to ensure that all school vehicles are equipped with the required technology.
The ministry is presently working with Safaricom to create an affordable technological option for schools. Murkomen envisioned a scenario in which school principals could monitor bus operations in real time from a control room, protecting students from potential hazards.
Murkomen also discussed the ongoing initiative to install speed cameras on roads, which are already operational in several locations as part of a pilot phase.
When fully implemented, the system will instantly fine drivers for offenses like speeding or overlapping, with fines delivered directly to their mobile phones.
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Addressing the broader issue of road safety, Murkomen stated that simply deploying law enforcement agencies such as the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) is insufficient.
He emphasized the importance of collective action against reckless driving and poor vehicle maintenance. Murkomen observed a decrease in reported road accidents over the last two weeks following the reintroduction of NTSA patrols, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in road safety management.
New School Bus Regulations to Include Mandatory Telematics Installation for Safety Monitoring
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