The Ministry of Transport is finalizing preparations for the opening of the new school year, focusing on heightened road safety and traffic management around educational institutions nationwide.
On Sunday, Ministry Director-General Moshe Ben Zaken convened a comprehensive readiness session with senior representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Israel Police Traffic Department, the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), the National Public Transport Authority, and child safety advocacy organizations.
1+The inter-agency discussions addressed safe pedestrian crossings, bicycle and scooter safety protocols, regulation of designated “Kiss and Go” drop-off zones, the operation of student safety patrols (Mishmarot Zahav), and increased police deployment, monitoring, and enforcement during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal hours.
Concurrently, the National Public Transport Authority completed the seasonal transition from summer schedules to full school-year operational timetables, adjusted to match projected student demand.Transport officials emphasized that drivers must drop off and pick up students exclusively in designated zones, avoiding double parking, blocking crosswalks, or stopping in locations that endanger pedestrians.
Parents are urged to practice safe walking routes with their children, ensure children under the age of 9 do not cross roads without adult supervision, and verify helmet use for riders and seatbelt compliance on every trip
1+Ministry of Transport Director-General Moshe Ben Zaken stated: “The opening of the school year is far more than a return to routine; it is our fundamental responsibility to safeguard children’s lives and ensure they travel to and from school safely. Under the directive of Minister Miri Regev, we are preparing well in advance alongside all relevant bodies to provide parents with full confidence as they send their children to school—from the daily commute to the immediate school perimeter.
Alongside infrastructure upgrades, expanded transit, and strict enforcement, instilling lifelong safety habits from an early age is of paramount importance,” Ben Zaken added. “Under the Minister’s leadership, we will continue deploying every available tool to ensure the school year opens safely, responsibly, and with utmost vigilance.”