PRETORIA/CAPE TOWN, 8 January 2026, As millions of South African learners return to the classroom this week, ChildSafe South Africa and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) have issued a unified call to parents and guardians to take a direct, proactive role in the safety of their children’s daily commute to school. With road traffic injuries remaining a leading cause of injury and death for children aged 5 to 14 in South Africa, both organisations emphasise that parental vigilance is the first line of defence against unroadworthy vehicles and unlicensed operators.
School children in this age category constituted 5.61 percent of 12,172 people who died on the roads in the country in 2024. “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, ” according to the RTMC spokesperson, Simon Zwane
“Safety on our roads is a shared responsibility that begins long before a child reaches the school gates,” stated Zaitoon Rabaney, Executive Director of ChildSafe South Africa. She notes that while law enforcement remains committed to strictly monitoring scholar transport, parents should conduct a basic safety walk-around of the vehicle. If a vehicle appears unroadworthy or does not appear right, make alternative arrangements. Parents should verify the driver’s credentials before allowing their children to board. This proactive approach is essential to ensuring that every journey to and from school is a safe one.
“Scholar transport must never be viewed as a mere convenience, but as a critical service that requires rigorous safety standards. Collectively, we must ensure that operators are not only legally compliant but also fit for the duty of transporting children.
Driver’s Licence and Identity Verification
A vital part of this oversight involves the driver. Parents are urged to personally confirm that their child’s driver holds a valid Professional Driving Permit (PDP), which is a non-negotiable legal requirement for public transport. It is essential to physically check the driver’s licence card to ensure it is current and that the identification matches the individual behind the wheel. Furthermore, parents should enquire about the credentials of any substitute or backup drivers to ensure they meet the same professional standards.
Vehicle Compliance and Physical Condition
The vehicle itself must meet strict legal and safety criteria. A compliant scholar transport vehicle must display a valid operating licence issued by the Provincial Regulatory Entity. Parents should also look for the vehicle licence disc on the windscreen to confirm it is current and has been renewed recently. Physical checks during a walk-around are equally important, particularly ensuring that tyres have visible tread and are free of damage. Critically, both organisations remind the public that it is illegal and life-threatening to transport learners in the back of bakkies or open trucks.
Guard Against Overloading
The prevention of overloading is a key priority for both ChildSafe and the RTMC. Parents must verify that every child has a designated seat and a functional seatbelt. To provide further security, parents should insist that the operator carry Passenger Liability Insurance, ensuring that children are protected in the event of an unforeseen incident.
Operational Communication and Accountability
Establishing clear lines of communication is essential for child safety. Parents are encouraged to save the driver’s direct contact details along with a secondary emergency number for the transport owner. Professional operators should provide a reliable system for updating parents on route changes or delays, ensuring that the child’s whereabouts are always accounted for.
The RTMC and ChildSafe South Africa remain committed to their ongoing collaboration on national school zone safety initiatives. Parents who encounter non-compliant or dangerous scholar transport operators are urged to report them immediately to the RTMC or local traffic authorities.
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MEDIA ENQUIRIES
ChildSafe South Africa
Shane Everts, Strategic Communications
Cell: 061 526 2200 | Email: shane@childsafe.org.za
Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC)
Simon Zwane, Chief Communication Officer
Cell: 082 554 4474 | Email: simonz@rtmc.co.za
About ChildSafe South Africa
ChildSafe South Africa is a not-for-profit organisation which aims to reduce and prevent injuries to children through Research, Education, and Advocacy. The organisation is a registered NPO with section 18A exemption that works with other non-profits, government, corporates and communities. Our core focus is the prevention of unintentional injuries such as burns, falls, drowning, road traffic crashes, choking and poisoning. For more information, visit www.childsafe.org.za.
About the RTMC
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) is South Africa’s lead agency for road safety. Tasked with the effective management of road traffic and safety, the RTMC works across all levels of government to reduce fatalities and promote responsible road use. For more information, visit www.rtmc.co.za.