Dubai: School buses are under constant scrutiny in the UAE, with the safety of children marked as the highest priority.
Since the start of the 2017/ 2018 academic year, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai fined 1,642 school buses over non-compliance with a number of technical specifications, according to the Arabic daily Al Ittihad.
The number of violations was also reported to have decreased over the years, although the exact figures were not available.
The RTA’s school bus technical regulations include mandatory GPS tracking system, CCTV cameras as well as 3+2 seating arrangement, in addition to an electronic tracking system using GPS technology became mandatory on school buses operating in Dubai.
Many buses were already equipped with real-time satellite tracking before it became mandatory.
The RTA enforces rigorous terms when it comes to the employment of bus drivers employed in schools.
The number of school buses registered in the traffic system has reached 6,500 so far, according to RTA statistics, and is expected to rise to 7,628 buses by 2020 and 14,455 by 2030.
Pupils get on a school bus on Oud Metha Road. Photo by: GN Archives
Statistics also showed that for the 2017/ 2018 academic year, 21,363 students used the bus in public schools and 122,228 in private schools.
Safety tips
Dubai Police and Emirates Transport recently announced that a ‘Bat’ radar will be introduced on school buses to stop motorists who ignore the signal when bus drivers pick up and drop off students.
“It is the smallest radar in the world and will be on school buses’ stop sign to catch any driver who doesn’t stop. It is to ensure the safety of students,” said Brigadier Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, director of the Traffic Department at Dubai Police.
Dear motorists: slow down and be careful when entering and exiting school zones.#DubaiPolice #Advice
— Dubai Policeشرطة دبي (@DubaiPoliceHQ) January 7, 2018
Motorists should always remember to:
- Slow down and obey all the traffic laws and speed limits in school zones. Be alert and watch out for children near schools, bus stops and in school parking lots.
- Stop for the school bus stop sign. Wait for the children to board and alight and move when the bus moves.
- Do not pass other vehicles or change lanes in school zones or at crosswalks.
