The National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (Natpac), in association with the Traffic police, held a one-day training programme for school bus drivers in the city on Sunday.
City Police Commissioner H. Venkatesh, who inaugurated the programme, said accidents could be prevented if drivers followed rules properly.
Most of the drivers working with schools were not aware of traffic rules and regulations, he said.
T.V. Sashi Kumar, consultant, Natpac, the chief trainer, said reckless driving, speeding, and reluctance to follow rules were the main causes of accidents. School managements should hold a strict scrutiny before selecting drivers. Past records and experience of each driver should be examined ahead of making appointments, he said.
They must not have been punished in the past for speeding, and reckless and drunk driving, he said.
More than 100 persons, including drivers and vehicle attendants, participated.
A road safety circular issued by the police, specifically for school managements and drivers, were handed over to the participants.
The circular mentioned, among other things, that buses should be painted fully in yellow, without any stripes, and the words ‘school bus’ should be printed prominently in the front and rear.
The name and address of the school should be painted on the left side of the bus. Details of all students travelling in the bus should be kept in the vehicle.
The vehicle must be fitted with a speed governor to ensure that it is not driven above 40 km per hour. It should have a fire extinguisher, a first-aid box, and an emergency exit.
Once in a year, the drivers should undergo a medical and driving skill test. The management should deploy its men to check whether the drivers followed traffic rules, the circular said.
