SCHOOL owners have been urged to take their school vans to the police traffic unit for inspections to ensure the safety of pupils and other road users.

Mwanza Regional Police Commander (RPC) Wilbrod Mutafungwa made the call recently while addressing private school owners and other stakeholders in the region.

"A lot of accidents involving school vans are due to mechanical defects. Therefore, it is crucial to have them inspected to ensure they are safe for operations," Mutafungwa said.

He noted that some vehicles have worn-out bodies and seats, and faulty brake systems, which increase the risk of accidents and fatalities.

RPC Mutafungwa emphasised that the law requires all vehicles carrying pupils to undergo inspections, but some owners fail to comply, putting passengers' safety at risk.

“Vehicles used to transport pupils should not have defects,” he stressed, urging owners to carry out regular maintenance to ensure the safety of the pupils.

He also warned against overloading and reminded drivers to ensure that pupils wear seat belts to reduce the risk of injury in case of an accident.

The meeting with private school owners and stakeholders was part of the police’s broader initiative to prevent crime in the region through community collaboration.

“It is costly to combat crime after it happens. We must prevent it before it costs lives,” Mutafungwa concluded.