ADT directed to ensure traffic safety around schools

Austin Gatt, as the minister responsible for roads, has directed the Malta Transport Authority to draw up policy guidelines and procedures to ensure the highest safety standards on roads adjacent to schools.

He also directed the ADT to take immediate action over a complaint made by the Malta Union of Teachers about danger facing Zurrieq schoolchildren because the road in front of the school is not being closed to traffic.

In a letter to the authority's CEO, Dr Gatt wrote:

"The Malta Union of Teachers yesterday expressed concern that children aged between three and eight years who attend the primary school A in Zurrieq are in danger each time they are entering or leaving school.

"In my view it is imperative that we look into the reasons for this situation and resolve it forthwith.

"You will agree that it is the responsibility of the ADT to ensure that policies and procedures are in place to ensure safety on the roads at all times. This is even more the case when a present danger exists for the safety of the children.

"As the MUT rightly remarks, it would be a negligence of our public duty to wait for an accident before we take appropriate action. Although the ADT is not the only entity responsible for policing safety on the roads, it is my conviction that the present situation demands the authority's initiative and leadership to achieve a swift and effective solution.

"You are therefore directed to:

1. Immediately conduct a detailed investigation into the matter raised by the MUT and share your findings with the school administration, the local council and the MUT;

2. Coordinate all relevant entities to take any action necessary so that the safety of the pupils of the Zurrieq primary school is ensured at all times;

3. Draw up and publish within the next six weeks, clear policy guidelines and procedures for the authority itself as well as school administrators, transport operators, the police, local councils and motorists, to ensure the highest safety standards of roads adjacent to schools, particularly during opening and closing times."