With the commencement of yet another academic year, the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) has adopted strict measures to ensure the safety of schoolchildren.
The officials have, however, preferred to lay stress on creating awareness of safety guidelines before imposing penalties on errant drivers. On the school reopening day on Monday, action was not initiated against anyone for violation of norms.
Thulaseedharan Pillai, Regional Transport Officer, Thiruvananthapuram, said awareness campaigns were being conducted in various parts of the city for drivers of school buses.
The MVD had also been conducting inspections to ensure that all buses had the relevant documents and adopted safety precautions.
Experienced driver
Only drivers having a minimum experience of 10 years can be employed in school buses. An able-bodied attender should be aboard each bus to ensure the safety of students while boarding and alighting, and also to assist them in crossing the roads, wherever necessary. The list of students travelling in the bus should be pasted on the vehicle.
Emergency numbers, including that of child helpline, should be displayed on the buses. While children below 12 years can be seated in pairs, those aged above 12 years should be given separate seats.
The MVD has also given training to drivers of contract carriages and those who have completed training have been given badges for identity.
Mr. Pillai said efforts were yet to be adopted for monitoring autorickshaws engaged in transporting students.
“There have been instances in the past when up to 17 students were transported in a single autorickshaw. Cases will be registered against the drivers in such cases. Nodal officers have also been entrusted with reporting such violations of safety rules,” he said.
Meanwhile, the district-level Students Travel Facility Committee, which met recently, has directed private bus operators not to demand identity cards from students for bus fare concessions till June 30. ID cards will be distributed through respective schools by month-end.
In case of any complaints, call: 85476 39001.
Sarath Babu George
