ABU DHABI, 26th August, 2022 (WAM) -- The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) of the Department of Municipalities and Transport in Abu Dhabi has undertaken a number of substantive initiatives that are designed to achieve the highest levels of security and safety for students on using school buses as means of transport.

The initiatives - which are part of ITC's preparations for the new academic year, 2022-2023, and within the campaign of 'For Your Safety' under the title of 'Your Children are in Safe Hands' - also aim to provide safe and easy transport services to over 155,000 students across the Emirate.

The centre emphasised that school bus drivers, supervisors, and operators must entirely comply with all the requirements and regulations set for school transport buses to provide safe and secure transport for students.

The ITC stated that it is the responsibility of the bus drivers to conduct daily maintenance checks of the vehicle to ensure its safety, adhere to speed limits and designated bus routes, and the proper use of the side-mounted 'Stop' sign that requires a complete stop for all vehicles on both sides of the bus, within a distance of no less than five metres.

The ITC added that not stopping when the bus left-mounted 'Stop' sign is in use incurs a fine of AED1,000 and ten traffic points on its violator, which is automatically monitored. Bus drivers must also use flasher lights when students are crossing roads and streets.

Moreover, bus supervisors are not to permit any student to disembark the vehicle except at the designated areas. After finishing every round, they must also ensure that the bus is free of students. Supervisors are also responsible for ascertaining that all students are wearing their seatbelts, ensuring the availability of a first aid kit on the bus at all times, and assisting students under the age of 11 to cross roads and deliver them safely to their guardians.

The centre asserted that it is within the responsibility of bus supervisors to make sure that the guardian of each student is present at the bus arrival point if their children are under the age of 11. It is also the bus supervisor's responsibility to inform and advise children on the importance of adhering to safety measures during the bus journey.

The ITC also stressed the need for schools and operating entities to regularly sanitise school buses as part of the general measures contributing to maintaining students' health and safety.

The centre also urged parents and the public to report any violations by bus drivers, or in case of any remarks observed regarding the safety or security of school buses, by calling the Abu Dhabi government call center on 800555.

On the other hand, the ITC has organised a number of awareness-raising workshops – under the Joint Committee for Traffic Safety - for school bus drivers and supervisors, which were centred around educating them on school transport safety, the importance of adhering to traffic safety regulations, the importance of paying the utmost attention to the safety of students, and ensuring that school bus safety requirements are met at all times.

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