Saudi Arabia implements new school bus safety regulations

Saudi Arabian authorities and transport service providers have introduced new safety protocols and strict regulations to protect students using school buses. Rafid, a transport services development company, has issued mandatory guidelines for students, emphasizing safe waiting areas, avoiding contact with strangers, and remaining seated with seatbelts fastened during transit. Students are instructed to wait for the vehicle to stop completely before disembarking and to move a safe distance away from the bus immediately after exiting.

Complementing these student guidelines, the General Directorate of Traffic has implemented rigorous controls for drivers and vehicle maintenance. New rules prohibit other vehicles from overtaking stopped school buses, with strict penalties for violators. Drivers must be at least 25 years old, possess a valid license appropriate for the vehicle size, and provide a clean criminal record alongside medical clearance and first aid training.

Furthermore, drivers are required to conduct daily technical inspections of brakes, tires, lights, and safety equipment. Vehicles must be equipped with fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and functional seatbelts. Drivers are also mandated to ensure students board and exit exclusively from the right side of the bus and must not leave a site until students have safely reached their school or homes.