Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 16: Residents of Girgaon in Mumbai have launched a social media campaign urging citizens to record and report traffic violations, raising concerns over reckless driving, school bus safety and unregistered electric bikes.

Citizen activists have flagged incidents involving bus and school bus drivers allegedly talking on mobile phones while driving, along with concerns over speeding and electric bikes violating traffic safety rules.

On October 14, a group of activists reportedly followed and stopped a school bus after its driver was allegedly seen speaking on a mobile phone while driving. They reprimanded the driver, urged the onboard attendant to take responsibility and called on the Education Department to review student transport safety.

Gaurav Sagwekar, a member of the citizen group Aamhi Girgaonkar, said young children often lack the awareness and physical strength to hold safety bars properly while travelling on buses.

He stressed the need to ensure that drivers remain responsible and do not engage in dangerous activities such as using mobile phones while driving.

Girgaon resident Vignesh Sunder, whose child studies in junior kindergarten and travels to school by bus, said he had witnessed reckless bus driving in the area, although his family had not personally faced such incidents.

He expressed concern over children's safety and suggested installing cameras in front of school bus drivers to monitor their activities.

Meanwhile, school bus associations said buses that comply with safety regulations generally have cameras directed at both drivers and students to help ensure safety.

Anil Garg, president of the School Bus Owners’ Association, said reporting reckless driving was essential. He advised parents who witness violations to inform the respective schools, where transport committees can take appropriate action. He also noted that parents frequently contact bus drivers directly to check on their children.

The citizen group has also written to the joint commissioner of traffic police, highlighting safety concerns involving unregistered electric bikes. It raised issues such as riding without helmets and jumping traffic signals, particularly when high-speed vehicles are on the roads.

The group has urged the police to increase awareness among the public that the absence of registration does not exempt electric bike riders from following traffic rules.