JOIN USIn the aftermath of the Trasi accident in Kundapur taluk, which claimed lives of eight school children recently, DC A B Ibrahim has issued an order containing a set of criteria to be followed in the school and college vehicles.
Accordingly, the registration of the vehicle should not older than 15 years. Only transparent glasses should be used for the windows. Tinted glasses are not allowed. The vehicle drivers should not drink and drive. They should wear blue uniform and black shoes. After alighting the children, care should be taken while the children reach the school. Use of mobile phones and music system is restricted while driving.
The vehicles should have strong roofs. Every school must have security personnel of its own. The school adminstration should ensure that children are alighted/ boarded within the school campus itself. School administration committee must have the details of the vehicles which ferry children to their institutions and details of the vehicles must be submitted to the respective BEO’s offices. A security committee should be formed in every school and meetings should be held with the parents of children to address the problems. Rash driving, use of no entry is prohibited. No shortcuts are allowed on the road. Proper care should be taken while crossing the railway gate.
SP warns of action
Superintendent of Police Bhushan G Borase warned that strict action will be initiated against school and college vehicles that do not follow regulations.
At Bantwal town police station, he said the police will inspect all school vehicles across the district in this regard. A special meeting of school administration and school vehicle drivers will be convened in Puttur on June 26. There will be no compromise in the safety of school children, the SP said.
The school management, parents, vehicle driver, the RTO, the Police Department and the district administration should ensure that school children are safe when they travel for school, he said.
Borase said earlier some relaxations were provided to vehicles ferrying school children considering the financial status of some parents. But no relaxation will be provided hereafter, he clarified.
Meeting tomorrow
A meeting in this regard will be held at Bantara Bhavan, Kombettu, Near Puttur Stadium, Puttur at 11 am on June 26.
Assistant commissioner, Puttur, RTO Puttur and Mangaluru, DC KSRTC Mangaluru and Puttur Division, deputy director Public instruction, block education officer Puttur, Sullia, Bantwala and Belthangady, the president of private bus owners’ association, parents, vehicle drivers and school managements will attend the meeting. The general public may also participate and give suggestions, he said.