THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As part of enhancing the safety of vehicles carrying schoolchildren, the district administration has directed the Motor Vehicles Department officials to provide stickers and identification number to all the private vehicles carrying children.
Directives were also issued that the authorities should strictly ensure that the drivers of the vehicles carrying school children have at least ten years’ experience. It was also decided to provide the drivers badges after inspecting their licence. The Motor Vehicles officials have been asked to make regular checks.
On the vehicles, it should be marked ‘On School Duty’ and strict action, including cancellation of the permit, should be evoked against the vehicles that do not have this marking. The district administration said that action will also be taken against vehicles that carry children beyond the permitted limit.
More police personnel will be deployed to monitor the vehicles. The district administration said that the time table of KSRTC and private buses will be displayed in front of the schools.
The district administration is also thinking of asking the schools to have different timings on the reopening day in order to regulate the heavy rush on that day. A decision will be only taken after consulting people’s representatives and officials.