Every morning, millions of
learners across Gauteng embark on their journey to school, relying on scholar
transport to access education and secure a brighter future. However, the
growing number of tragic road accidents involving scholar transport has raised
serious concerns about the safety of these young commuters.
The latest heart-breaking
incident occurred on Monday, 10 March 2025, when four learners lost their lives
in a devastating collision on the N12 just before the Putfontein offramp in
Ekurhuleni. This tragedy is not an isolated case but part of an alarming trend
that sees scholar transport vehicles frequently involved in fatal accidents.
In response to this crisis, the
Gauteng Provincial Government has reinforced its commitment to improving
scholar transport safety. The Traffic Management Chief Directorate within the
Department of Community Safety is mandated to safeguard road users, with the
Road Safety Promotion Unit spearheading initiatives aimed at reducing
fatalities through education and enforcement.
The department has intensified
road safety campaigns with a multi-pronged approach targeting all road users,
including scholars, drivers, and pedestrians. The key interventions include:

 
Improving road design, enforcing speed
     limits, installing roundabouts, and ensuring adequate lighting in
     high-risk areas.
 
Enhancing alcohol and substance testing
     among drivers, coupled with swift prosecution of offenders.
 
Increasing road surveillance through
     video monitoring to curb reckless driving.
In February and March, the Road
Safety Unit conducted extensive awareness campaigns across various corridors in
Gauteng. These initiatives focused on:

 
Educating learners and school staff on
     safe road-crossing techniques while ensuring scholar transport drivers
     adhere to vehicle roadworthiness standards.
 
Engaging with scholar transport and
     public transport drivers on the importance of compliance, vehicle
     maintenance, and proper documentation.
 
Conducting workshops for young
     pedestrians on safe road usage, emphasizing the dangers of playing on the
     road and the importance of visibility.
 
Reaching out to communities, particularly
     in informal settlements near major roads, to highlight the risks of
     jaywalking, drunk driving, and speeding.
Assistant Director of Road
Safety Promotion in the Western Corridor, Mr. Obed Sibasa, stressed the urgent
need for increased community cooperation and visible policing in high-risk
areas. He noted that many fatalities occur due to reckless behaviour such as
drinking and walking, and emphasized the importance of local law enforcement
interventions.
Road safety is a shared
responsibility that requires the collective effort of government, law
enforcement, educators, parents, and community members. Gauteng residents must
play their part in ensuring safer roads by adhering to traffic laws, advocating
for responsible driving, and educating children on pedestrian safety.
“We urge all road users to take
accountability for their safety and that of others. The fight against road
carnage is not solely the government’s responsibility—it starts with each of
us,” said Sibasa.
With lives at stake, there is no
room for complacency. Strengthened enforcement, public awareness, and community
involvement must be prioritised to ensure that no learner’s journey to school
ends in tragedy.