Home Did you know? The missing link… The absence of child seats in minibus and midibuses

The missing link… The absence of child seats in minibus and midibuses

by jonckie@arrivealive.co.za

Question:

Could you possibly clarify the following regarding child restraints?

Notwithstanding the responsible thing to do. What is the interpretation of the Act Reg 213 regarding the utilisation of child restraints with reference to scholar transport? I.e. pre-school and nursery school children.

Effectively, scholar transport is offered with financial reward. The parent pays for this service.

Section 6(A) refers:

(6A)     The driver of a motor vehicle operated on a public road shall ensure that an infant traveling in such a motor vehicle is seated on an appropriate child restraint: Provided that this provision shall not apply in a case of a minibus, midibus or bus operating for reward.

Are schools who operate their own transport although charged for by the school exempted from this act?

Answer:

Yes, a minibus is a 10 to 16 seater and a midibus and bus 17 seats +.

It is not compulsory to have a child seat in these vehicles although there is nothing stopping a parent from insisting the child must be transported in a child seat despite the legal requirements.

Regards

Alta

Alta Swanepoel and Associates CC

 

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