Before the school bell rings, the Transit and Land Transport Authority (ATTT) has taken to the streets to inspect school buses across the country. The ATTT announced inspections and training for drivers, with a focus on student safety from the first day of school. The inspection is thorough and no-nonsense. Up-to-date insurance, paperwork in order, and buses without patches. The chassis, yellow paint, lights as per the law, seats without modifications, factory tires and rims, mirrors, windshields, and the front height must not be altered. Life-saving equipment is also checked. Fire extinguisher, triangle, reflective tape, spare tire, emergency brake, jack, and lug wrench. The 'SCHOOL' sign must be painted, visible, and of the correct size: 6 inches on buses with up to 15 passengers and 9 inches on larger ones; the license plate, 4 inches. Stickers are not allowed. There will be flexibility with smoked glass up to Grade 1 and solar ceramic film is recommended, as long as visibility is clear. The inspection schedule is already set: Bocas del Toro, Chiriquí, and West Panama from February 2-6; Los Santos, Herrera, Veraguas, and Coclé from February 4-6; North Panama, San Miguelito, Central Panama, and Colón from February 9-13; and Darién on February 23 and 24.
