THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With schools reopening on Monday, the Motor Vehicles Department had taken the necessary safety measures to ensure the safety of schoolchildren, Transport Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said on Saturday.
“Stringent measures will be initiated against those who pack students in their vehicles. The school authorities should appoint only those drivers who are qualified and experienced. Inspections will be undertaken on the school premises to see that no hired vehicles are being used to ferry students,” he said.
It will also looked into that the vehicles transporting children have undergone fitness test. “Inspections will also be carried out to see whether the vehicles have fire extinguisher, speed governor and emergency exit. Besides, there should be door attenders in each vehicle who will help students to cross the roads,” he said.
The other stipulations are: At the rear end of the vehicles, the phone numbers of the respective schools and Childline number-1098 should be displayed. The vehicles should also have the list of students, names and address of their parents. “A motor vehicles inspector will be appointed to monitor the inconveniences caused by the students while they travel to school. His number will also be handed over to the school authorities and the nodal officers appointed. If parents, students or teachers have any complaints, they can contact the numbers 8547639000 or 7025950100,” the minister added.