NEW traffic guidelines to ensure the safety of students were announced yesterday as schools gear up for the start of the next academic year.
Parents have been advised to contact transportation institutions or individuals licensed by the General Traffic Directorate as they undergo extensive training and awareness programmes in preparation for the year.
They were also urged to co-operate with community policemen and security guards who will regulate traffic movement near schools and congested areas.
Details were revealed yesterday during a lecture organised by the directorate to ensure all drivers adhere to safety measures and maintain their vehicles while transporting children to and from schools.
It is part of an extensive awareness campaign launched by the directorate to ensure traffic safety at drop-off and pick-up points, as well as at school gates and heavily-congested areas, as students in Bahrain re-enter classrooms next month after more than two years of remote learning imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The General Traffic Directorate continues to receive buses transporting students to ensure they are fully equipped with the mandatory requirements before licensing them for a year starting September,” the directorate said in an official statement.
“These licences must be displayed – with the specified dates – on the windshield of vehicles.”
Around 80,000 private school students will resume classes in the next few days, while more than 147,000 government school pupils will return on September 7.
Government school teachers will begin work on September 1 after a two-month break.
The Education Ministry announced earlier this month that students of all levels must attend classes in person during the 2022-23 academic year. It will be mandatory for all pupils to attend kindergarten, schools and universities as well as public and private educational institutions.
Schools across the kingdom suspended in-person classes on February 26, 2020, following the outbreak of the coronavirus (Covid-19), and most institutions switched to remote learning.
According to the directorate, all buses must have cameras installed inside and at the back with sensors that allow drivers to fully detect the rear-view and avoid traffic accidents.
New safety measures also include regular inspections of vehicles, their side mirrors, cameras and passenger seatbelts in addition to ensuring fire extinguishers aren’t expired and first-aid kits are fully equipped.
“It is critical to adhere to the maximum number of passengers and refrain from checking mobile phones, smoking or eating while driving the vehicle,” the directorate said.
“Fuel, heat, oil, brake and seatbelt indicators must be regularly checked and maintained along with a periodic engine inspection.
“Drivers must ensure warning stickers are displayed.
“They must park their vehicles in designated spaces and most importantly, ensure all seats are empty after students leave the bus.”
Awareness lectures will continue to include school security guards and community policemen as well as academic staff to ensure safety measures are implemented properly.
Meanwhile, drivers and supervisors who attended the lecture yesterday stressed the importance of such campaigns in ensuring safe transport for children.
“Children’s safety is top priority and this lecture was critical as rules and regulations continuously develop and we have to remain updated to prevent accidents,” said Canadian School Bahrain General Services supervisor Ahmed Bahman.
“We are working on more efficient and effective management during drop-off and pick-up periods and this year it will be even better through the assistance of more helpers to ensure smooth flow.”
reem@gdnmedia.bh
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