It’s invariably race by school, college buses

Started by sajiv, Jul 25, 2009, 10:35 PM

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sajiv

It's invariably race by school, college buses



It was 7.30 a.m. on Friday. There was a multiple collision involving three buses belonging to as many educational institutions near Thevar Statue junction at Goripalayam in the city. Commotion prevailed for sometime in the area. Though the passengers, mostly children, suffered minor injuries, the drivers made peace and drove away to their respective places, according to the traffic police.

This is just once instance of many on how drivers of school and college buses in the city indulge in reckless driving to reach their destinations in time.

If this is bad, the worse follows: the speed of autorickshaws and omni-vans goes unchecked, the drivers of which pay scant regard to the safety of children seated inside these vehicles.

Every day minor accidents in which school/college buses are involved are reported in Madurai city and suburbs, say the traffic police. "Fortunately, there is no grievous injury to students or any fatal accidents reported so far," a police officer said.

Apart from driving in a rash and negligent manner, blowing air horns within the city limits, particularly near hospital zones, and drivers talking over mobile phone while driving go unchecked. It poses a threat to other motorists and pedestrians.

When The Hindu spoke to a few of the major schools and colleges, the persons in charge of transport said that they conducted awareness meetings for their bus crew regularly.

"We have air horns fitted to the vehicles, but have strictly told the drivers not to use them within the city limits. The drivers have mobile phones, but they are instructed not to talk while driving," the school and college authorities claimed.

Realising the problems involved in the transport of children, some institutions have entrusted the task to private operators, an official in the Education Department said and added that only a very few institutions cared for the children by closely monitoring the mode of transport used by their students.

Though many parents have switched over to omni-vans after realising the risks involved in sending their wards in overloaded autorickshaws, the van drivers also drive recklessly. Last week, a sudden application of brakes by a van driver (who was talking over his mobile phone) on the Arapalayam-Bypass stretch not only knocked a two-wheeler rider down but the sliding door of the van also opened in the process, traffic police said.

Many parents expect a more responsible role by the educational institutions in providing a safe ride for the students.


Sudhakar

Thanks for this useful info Acumen.

But this educational institutions do not every care about their college bus.

Considering other colleges , jeppiar group of college buses kills the people sitting inside but unconditional driving.  :yes

Hope all these experts have been brought from their own village, so they do not care about other safety.
  :(