Cops launch drive against school buses, 2,974 vehicles fined

In a drive against erring school buses and vans, the Delhi traffic police has fined 2,974 such vehicles till August 2016 for violating the guidelines issued by the Delhi government to ferry students.

“We have initiated a fresh drive against operators of school vans and buses to ensure safety of students. Under the drive, operators or drivers who are violating guidelines to ferry students will be prosecuted. They will be fined for violating various norms under the Motor Vehicles Act and guidelines structured by the Delhi government,” said Sandeep Goel, special CP (traffic).

“The drive will continue in the coming days to ensure that all abide by the norms. Accountability of school administration will also be examined. If they are found equally responsible for the violation, since they allow these vans to operate from their premises, necessary action will be taken against such schools,” Mr Goel added.

The Delhi traffic police has fined 1160 school buses and 1814 school vans - 1681 registered and 133 unregistered - so far this year for violating safety guidelines.

During the drive, 133 school vans were fined for RC violation. The drivers were ferrying students even though their vans were registered as private vehicles.

“Ensuring the safety of children travelling from school to home and vice-versa, is a collective responsibility of parents, schools and traffic police,” Mr Goel added.

On Tuesday, a three-year-old boy was crushed to death by a school van which dropped him near his house in Civil Lines.

Safety Guidelines:

The body of bus should be yellow with horizontal stripe in brown

Words ‘School Bus’ must be written on the back and front of the bus or van

Provision of emergency door, a first-aid box, fire extinguisher in the vehicle

School name and phone number must be written on the bus

A woman attendant must

Driver should have five years of experience and should not have been challaned more than twice for traffic offences