The Motor Vehicles Department and the police have launched a joint drive in the city to trace overcrowded school buses, jeeps and autorickshaws as part of ensuring safety for school students.
Fifteen vehicles, mostly autorickshaws, have already been traced from various parts of the city as part of the drive besides legal action being initiated against the responsible drivers.
Officials attached to the MVD mobile enforcement squad said the drive would be intensified in the coming days as a precautionary measure to avert road accidents. “We have also started issuing warning to the school managements, which were not found taking practical measures to avoid overcrowded travelling,” they added.
Use of cameras
Unlike in the previous years, the squad members have been asked to trace violations with the support of still cameras. On a regular basis, they would camp in school premises to enforce the rule and take on the spot action against the violators. Along with the penal actions, the squad would also ask the violators to take part in mandatory awareness classes on safe driving.
“It was quite surprising that even a central school vehicle in the city was found carrying students more than that of the permitted number. During the checking, there were over 120 children in the 48-seater bus,” said Regional Transport Officer Rajiv Puthalath.
“Following the squad’s suggestion, the management is now planning to buy three more school buses,” he said.
Before launching the special drive, the MVD had checked the fitness of all the school buses in the city. Over 275 vehicles were examined in detail and issued clearance certificates.
After the checking, the squad members also affixed special stickers with guidelines for the school bus drivers.
MVD officials hinted that similar checking drives would be launched in the city to trace overcrowded private busses.
The checking would begin after conducting a comprehensive awareness campaign. It would be mandatory for drivers to attend the MVD classes.
