Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Traffic Police organised a special awareness programme on school bus safety at Town Hall on Wednesday, focusing on the safe transportation of schoolchildren and reminding school authorities, drivers and vehicle owners of their responsibilities.
Around 600 school bus drivers, owners, managers and representatives of school managements from across Mangaluru participated in the programme. The participants were briefed on legal requirements, road safety practices and precautionary measures that must be followed while transporting children.
Focus on safety of schoolchildren
The programme focused on ensuring that school buses are operated in a manner that prioritises the safety and well-being of students.
Traffic officials provided detailed information on the responsibilities of school bus drivers and attendants, including adherence to traffic regulations and maintaining discipline while transporting children.
Participants were also made aware of the importance of following prescribed safety standards and taking adequate precautions throughout the journey.
School managements were instructed to strictly comply with safety requirements applicable to school vehicles. They were also asked to properly supervise the duties of drivers and attendants and ensure that all necessary preventive measures are in place.
The police warned that violations of traffic rules by school bus drivers could result in legal action.
Schools asked to comply with 2012 rules
Speaking at the programme, DCP (Crime and Traffic) Ravi Shankar K directed school and college authorities to ensure compliance with the Karnataka Motor Vehicles (Conditions for Vehicles Engaged in Transport of School Children) Rules, 2012.
He said the School/College School Cab Safety Committee should verify the authenticity of vehicle and driver documents before allowing vehicles to transport students.
The committee should also check the validity of fitness certificates and insurance documents and ensure that vehicles meet the prescribed safety standards.
According to the instructions issued at the programme, school vehicles must be equipped with fire extinguishers and speed governors and should have closed bodies.
The officials also stressed that school vehicles should not exceed the prescribed maximum speed of 40 kmph.
Regular verification of these requirements was emphasised as an important part of preventing accidents and ensuring that students are transported safely.
Transport officials stress valid permits
Officials from the Regional Transport Department advised school managements to use only vehicles possessing valid permits for transporting children.
They also urged schools to ensure that all prescribed safety requirements are complied with before vehicles are deployed for student transportation.
The emphasis on valid permits and vehicle documentation is intended to ensure that school managements engage only authorised and roadworthy vehicles.
Schools were also reminded that responsibility for student safety extends beyond selecting a vehicle. Proper supervision of drivers and attendants and regular monitoring of safety compliance are equally important.
Regular meetings with parents advised
An Education Department official advised school managements to conduct regular meetings involving teachers, school bus owners, drivers and parents.
Such meetings, the official said, can help stakeholders discuss concerns related to student transportation and identify appropriate preventive measures.
The involvement of parents and teachers was highlighted as an important way of maintaining communication between schools and those directly involved in transporting students.
Regular discussions can also help schools identify safety concerns at an early stage and take corrective measures before they lead to incidents.
Drivers urged to act responsibly
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Najma Farooqi instructed school bus drivers to follow traffic regulations and discharge their responsibilities with discipline and care.
She stressed that the safety of schoolchildren must remain the primary consideration while operating school vehicles.
Drivers were reminded that transporting children requires greater responsibility and caution compared with ordinary passenger transportation. Compliance with speed limits, traffic rules and safety procedures is essential to reducing risks on the road.
The programme also sought to reinforce the role of attendants, school managements and vehicle owners in maintaining safe transportation arrangements.
Road safety pledge administered
As part of the awareness programme, participants were administered a road safety pledge, reinforcing their commitment to following traffic rules and maintaining safe practices.
The participation of around 600 stakeholders provided an opportunity for the Traffic Police and other departments to directly communicate safety requirements to those involved in school transportation.
The programme comes at a time when safe school transportation remains an important concern for parents and educational institutions. School buses carry large numbers of children every day, making proper vehicle maintenance, trained drivers, valid documentation and strict adherence to traffic rules essential.
The Traffic Police and other departments have therefore stressed that safety standards should not merely be treated as formal requirements but must be consistently followed in day-to-day operations.
The authorities’ warning of legal action against drivers who violate traffic rules also underlines the seriousness with which school vehicle safety is being viewed.
With schools, transport operators, parents and enforcement agencies working together, officials hope to strengthen safety practices and reduce risks faced by children during their daily commute.