School bus drivers caught unawares, cops launch drive

In a surprise drive against the school buses, the city traffic police on Thursday checked the preparedness on safety and security measures in these vehicles near Huda City Centre Metro station, Leena Dhankhar reports.

In a surprise drive against the school buses, the city traffic police on Thursday checked the preparedness on safety and security measures in these vehicles near Huda City Centre Metro station.

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More than 20 school buses were checked by a team led by deputy commissioner of police (east) Maheshwar Dayal. Many drivers were found without seat belts, while some buses did not carry first-aid box. Besides, the emergency exit doors of several buses were found too difficult to be opened.

However, no bus was challaned on Thursday. Traffic cops said errant drivers would be fined from Friday.

Dayal also interacted with students and asked them about driving and behaviour of bus drivers, but he did not receive any complaint. ACP (traffic) Ravinder Tomar and ACP (crime) Rajesh Phogat were seen checking the buses.

"The Gurgaon district administration had asked school authorities to ensure compliance of all safety instructions issued by the traffic police department as well as the directions issued by the high court and the Supreme Court. District magistrate PC Meena had invoked Section 144 of CrPC for enforcement of these guidelines in the district. But the schools are still not serious about it," Dayal said.

Anyone who come across a school bus driver violating traffic norms, they can lodge a complaint on traffic police's Facebook page, inform the police control room on 100 and 0124-2316100. They can also inform the DC office on 0124- 2325500 and 2321144.