Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Jun 23: Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim, has stipulated that it is mandatory for all the vehicles including private ones carrying school children to be painted yellow.
He was speaking after presiding over a meeting of officials on safety of school vehicles held at his office on Wednesday June 22.
Ibrahim asked police and regional transport office to take action against erring vehicles without fear of favour. He instructed the concerned to strictly implement all the rules over school vehicles and to pass on instruction on these lines to all schools parents and school vehicles. He ordered officials to complete all the processes by June 30 and take steps against violators from July 1 onwards.
Auto rickshaws carrying students to and from schools can carry a maximum of six children aged below 12. Maruti Omni vehicles can carry maximum of eight children. Children above 12 years should be carried as per the seating capacity of concerned vehicles without concession, the deputy commissioner said.
The other rules in vogue are display of 'on school duty' board in front and behind if vehicles are taken on rent, each vehicle should have first aid boxes, each vehicle should be fitted with speed governors, vehicles should have uniform grills, fire emergency kit should be provided, school's name and telephone numbers should be prominently displayed on vehicles, reliable locks should be provided, and an attendant should look after children. Parents, school teachers etc can travel in such vehicles for checking safety aspects.
District superintendent of police, Bhushan Gulabrao Borase, said that his department has begun checking school vehicles with immediate affect, and that after carrying out this campaign for a week, stringent steps will be taken against erring drivers. He said that vehicles carrying school children should compulsorily abide by the rules framed by Supreme Court. He asked parents and school development committees also to initiate measures to streamline these rules.
City deputy commissioner of police, Shantharaju, also said that school vehicle checking has begun from Wednesday. Noting that auto rickshaws and Omn vehicles have been seen to be carrying children in excess of permitted limits, he said that the concerned drivers have been educated to fall in line.