<p>The Karnataka State Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has come up with a 20-point programme to ensure its fleet of 23,000-odd buses strictly complies with the norms under the Motor Vehicle Rules. <br /><br /></p>.<p>In order to keep a check on drunken driving and to ensure its drivers do not speed, the corporation will set up checkpoints under the divisional traffic managers and controllers. Accordingly, drivers will have to undergo a breath analysis. Drivers aged above 40 will have to undergo mandatory eye tests, too. <br /><br />Says N Manjunatha Prasad, the Managing Director of KSRTC, “The checkpoints are essentially for night services to ensure buses do not halt at undesignated stops. Besides, we hope to keep tabs on drivers and the number of hours of work they put in. The checkpoints will be after every two and a half hours the bus completes under the jurisdiction of the specific traffic controller.”<br /><br />Buses will stop at these points for a few minutes and then proceed further. <br />Other directives include informing passengers about the location of the bus and how to use emergency exits, in two languages – a local language and English. <br /><br />In addition, all vehicles should have a first-aid box with the necessary medicines and a fire extinguisher, and drivers and conductors should be trained in its use in case of an emergency. <br /><br />Drivers will be responsible to keep a record of the due date for insurance of the buses and ensure it is renewed immediately. <br /><br />While the KSRTC may be getting more cautious following the two bus blazes, private bus operators continue to have free rein and have been flouting the rules with impunity. <br />A transport official said the department could not have such checkpoints after every few kilometres as it did not have adequate staff. Besides, it would be going of its ambit.<br />Therefore, the official went on, the department is focusing more on creating awareness about safe driving among private operators so they regulate their drivers as far as speed limits, drunken driving, etc, are concerned. <br /><br />To drive the point home, the transport department has even started a training programme for drivers of private buses, explaining them the dos and don’ts to be followed while being at the wheel. <br /><br />Regular sessions are being held at the Koramangala and K R Puram RTOs for the purpose. The officials said that in the days to come, drivers would be educated about safety norms and safe driving. </p>
<p>The Karnataka State Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has come up with a 20-point programme to ensure its fleet of 23,000-odd buses strictly complies with the norms under the Motor Vehicle Rules. <br /><br /></p>.<p>In order to keep a check on drunken driving and to ensure its drivers do not speed, the corporation will set up checkpoints under the divisional traffic managers and controllers. Accordingly, drivers will have to undergo a breath analysis. Drivers aged above 40 will have to undergo mandatory eye tests, too. <br /><br />Says N Manjunatha Prasad, the Managing Director of KSRTC, “The checkpoints are essentially for night services to ensure buses do not halt at undesignated stops. Besides, we hope to keep tabs on drivers and the number of hours of work they put in. The checkpoints will be after every two and a half hours the bus completes under the jurisdiction of the specific traffic controller.”<br /><br />Buses will stop at these points for a few minutes and then proceed further. <br />Other directives include informing passengers about the location of the bus and how to use emergency exits, in two languages – a local language and English. <br /><br />In addition, all vehicles should have a first-aid box with the necessary medicines and a fire extinguisher, and drivers and conductors should be trained in its use in case of an emergency. <br /><br />Drivers will be responsible to keep a record of the due date for insurance of the buses and ensure it is renewed immediately. <br /><br />While the KSRTC may be getting more cautious following the two bus blazes, private bus operators continue to have free rein and have been flouting the rules with impunity. <br />A transport official said the department could not have such checkpoints after every few kilometres as it did not have adequate staff. Besides, it would be going of its ambit.<br />Therefore, the official went on, the department is focusing more on creating awareness about safe driving among private operators so they regulate their drivers as far as speed limits, drunken driving, etc, are concerned. <br /><br />To drive the point home, the transport department has even started a training programme for drivers of private buses, explaining them the dos and don’ts to be followed while being at the wheel. <br /><br />Regular sessions are being held at the Koramangala and K R Puram RTOs for the purpose. The officials said that in the days to come, drivers would be educated about safety norms and safe driving. </p>
