Drunk drivers: Schools must step up

It is shocking that 58 school vehicle drivers in Bengaluru were caught driving under the influence of alcohol, once again exposing the systemic negligence that plagues the school transport system. The licences of these drivers who were found to have consumed alcohol much above permissible limits during an early-morning crackdown have been sent to the RTO for suspension. This is not merely a case of drunken driving – it is a direct assault on the safety of children. The fact that drivers entrusted with the care of children reported to duty intoxicated is a betrayal of the highest order. What is even more troubling is that such checks are difficult to conduct during peak hours due to manpower shortages and the morning traffic congestion. The dangers posed by a drunk driver extend far beyond the risk of accidents, as they may exhibit unpredictable and inappropriate conduct raising concerns of misbehaviour or aggression towards children.

Therefore, the burden of accountability cannot rest on the police alone; transport contractors and school managements should also be held responsible. If a bus driver is found under the influence of alcohol, the contract should be terminated and legal proceedings initiated. Schools must be made answerable too because they are the ones who appoint these contractors and are responsible for the well-being of the children under their supervision. Schools are the primary custodians of children during school hours and transport – their duty extends beyond academics to ensuring the physical and psychological safety of every child. Parents too need to introspect. Often, they entrust their children to overcrowded vans and auto-rickshaws without verifying the credentials or fitness of the driver. When a tragedy occurs, the outrage is always directed towards the authorities – but why wait for a tragedy? It is high time parents demanded accountability from the school managements.

The image of an inebriated driver behind the wheel of a school bus is alarming. The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights should view this issue with utmost seriousness, as it directly impinges on the fundamental right of children to safety and protection. A robust Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) should be put in place, requiring breath analyser tests for all drivers before they begin their duty each morning. As the Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) pointed out, the authorities are now contemplating invoking provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, against the offending drivers. This is not just appropriate – it is necessary. Ultimately, safeguarding children is a collective responsibility: stricter enforcement, greater accountability from school managements, and heightened vigilance from parents.