In a development that may prompt parents of schoolchildren to reconsider their children’s travel options, the police on Tuesday booked 92 school bus drivers for drunk driving.
In a surprise raid code-named as Operation Little Star, the police cracked down on errant school bus drivers in Kochi city, Ernakulam Rural, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Idukki police districts. Starting around 6 a.m. and continuing up to 9 a.m., the police team, in different squads, inspected as many as 6,708 vehicles and initiated action against around 900 vehicles.
Besides drunk driving, about 58 vehicles were found running on worn-out tyres while 26 others lacked body fitness. As many as 179 buses, including 90 from Kochi city, were booked for overloading, in addition to 515 other cases for various other violations.
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According to P. Vijayan, Inspector General of Police, Kochi Range, cases will be initiated against the drunk drivers under provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act. Besides, the assistance of the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) is being sought to suspend the driving licences of the drivers. The department is also contemplating action against vehicle owners including the various school managements.