Taking cognizance of the questions raised on the safety of children in school vehicles and the increasing complaints of sexual harassment, Secretary Transport/Commissioner Brijesh Kumar Sant has directed the RTO to take action. After the incident of sexual harassment of a girl student by a driver in a school van in Patel Nagar police station area of Doon city, Secretary Transport has directed verification of school vehicle drivers and conductors. Under this, RTO (Enforcement) Shailesh Tiwari has called a meeting of all school van operators in the RTO office today on Thursday. After this, verification of drivers will be done. The police will be responsible for collecting the criminal history of drivers and conductors and their character verification. Dainik Jagran has often been publishing news raising questions on the transport facility and safety of school children. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, a case of molestation of a girl student in a school van came to light in Patel Nagar area. The girl student was coming home from a private school located in Nehru Colony. The police have registered a case and arrested the driver, but after this incident, the issue of safety of children in school vehicles has started to come up again. Taking cognizance of the incident, the Transport Secretary directed the officials to take strict measures.
He has asked to ensure that the Supreme Court guidelines are followed compulsorily to ensure the safety and transport facilities of students in school vehicles. He directed that action should be taken against anyone who ignores this guideline. After the instructions of the Transport Secretary, RTO (Enforcement) Shailesh Tiwari has called a meeting of all school van operators today. The RTO said that 14 rules have been made for vehicles and drivers carrying school children in the Supreme Court guidelines, and they will be followed 100 percent. Under this, a driver who has been challaned even once for over speeding, drunk driving or dangerous driving will be removed from operating the school vehicle. Apart from this, if a driver has been challaned twice in a year for jumping a red light, then the operator will also ask such a driver not to drive the school vehicle. The driver should have at least five years of experience in driving heavy vehicles. On the orders of the Secretary Transport, a verification campaign of school drivers will be started in the first phase in Doon city. The RTO said that verification will be done by setting up a camp in the Parade Ground. The driver will have to come with his driving license, Aadhar card and character verification letter. The department will have full details including the driver’s name, address and mobile number. During this, the documents of the vehicles will also be verified. The drivers will also be counseled.
Survey will also be done in schools
In view of the safety of children, the Transport Department will now also go to schools and survey their transport facilities. The RTO said that it will be seen whether the children are coming to school by school bus, van, private cab, auto, rickshaw or by which means. Its report will be sent to the government.
Guidelines for school drivers
The driver must have at least five years of experience in driving heavy vehicles.
Police character verification and information about criminal history of the driver is mandatory.
If the driver has been challaned twice in the past for breaking transport rules, he will be considered unfit to drive a school vehicle.
If the driver has been challaned once for overspeeding, driving dangerously or under the influence of alcohol, such a driver will be banned.
No school bus will be operated without a qualified conductor.
The conductor must be qualified as per the Central Motor Vehicle Rules.
It is mandatory to have a female assistant in the vehicle used to transport girl students.
School vehicles should be operated at the prescribed speed. Speed governor is mandatory.
It is prohibited to seat more students than the prescribed number and it is mandatory to have proper arrangement for keeping school bags.
Closed doors are mandatory for safety. Vehicles with open doors are prohibited.
It is mandatory for the driver to have complete information about the names, addresses, blood group, route plan and stopping points of the children.
It is mandatory to have a first aid box and fire extinguisher in the vehicle.
