Intoxicated school bus drivers have become a serious concern for both parents and school administrations in Bengaluru. During a recent inspection, traffic police discovered 58 bus drivers operating vehicles while under the influence of alcohol.
Alarmed by the findings, schools are reassessing their safety protocols. “If 58 drivers were identified, think about how many students could be in danger. With around 30 children per bus, that’s roughly 1,740 lives at risk,” said Deepak Kumar, a concerned parent.
Some institutions claim their transport services are strictly regulated, while others admitted the urgent need for tighter controls, especially when outsourcing. Robert Khin, Principal of Bethany School, Koramangala, said, “We recruit drivers ourselves after verifying their credentials and hold regular sessions to reinforce safety rules. Weekly alcohol tests are done, usually on Mondays, to detect any leftover intoxication.”
S Aisha, Principal of Ryan International Academy, noted, “We hire only after detailed background checks and police verification. All buses are school-owned, not run by private operators.”
Other measures include installing cameras and GPS trackers. Sonia Ghai, Principal of Geetanjali Olympiad School, explained, “Our buses are equipped with cameras and GPS systems for live tracking.”
At Orchids The International High School, Principal Siny Gopinath shared, “We have three cameras in each bus and a speed governor to limit speed. A transport supervisor monitors drivers, records their activities, and keeps emergency contact details visible.”
Additionally, schools have established direct communication with parents through SMS alerts and apps to notify them about delays or emergencies promptly