Commissioner of Police N. Bhaskaran, who assumed office a few days ago, has started taken stern action against bus drivers who resorted to rash driving, blaring of air-horns and other road safety violation. As many as 57 cases have been booked against 30 erring bus drivers in just one day on Tuesday.
The public were complaining against bus drivers for posing a threat to other road-users, particularly the aged and the women two-wheeler riders, with their rash driving. They also bring the buses to an abrupt halt right on the middle of the road to drop or pick up passengers even at unscheduled bus stops.
The drivers were also accused of blaring air horns though it has been banned, and showing scant regard for traffic signals.
Mr. Bhaskaran deployed police personnel at important spots in Tirunelveli and Palayamkottai on Tuesday. They were asked to book the erring bus drivers if they were found to be manoeuvring the buses in violation of road safety norms.
As most of the private buses were found to be driven at high speed, blaring air horns and modified exhausts that created high decibel noise and stopping the buses at will - right on the road and at unscheduled bus stops, they were booked at the spot. “We’ve registered 57 cases in just one day against 30 erring bus drivers, which means that some of these drivers have been booked in more than one case,” said Mr. Bhaskaran.
He warned that the bus drivers and conductors, who refuse to respect road safety rules and threaten other road-users by driving recklessly at a high speed, would have to face the consequences hereafter. They should not allow footboard travel, particularly by the students. “If the drivers and conductors are found to be habitual offenders, such drivers will lose their driving licence. Moreover, the licence of the bus will also be cancelled,” the Commissioner warned.
He said the public, who happen to witness road safety rule violations or accidents, may inform the police on 94981 81457.
