New Delhi: Friday’s accident by a college bus driver isn’t an remoted one. Crashes involving college buses have gotten frequent in Delhi, indicating the necessity for a crackdown by all stakeholders, together with police and faculty administrations.
A number of social media customers have posted footage and movies of violations by college buses on platforms equivalent to X and agree that the autos are pushed rashly.
Generally involving college buses, the drivers have been unharmed and the casualties have been on the opposite aspect, analyses of current accidents recommend. “Even when arrested, they’ve been capable of go residence from the police station itself because the offence is bailable even when the crash causes a demise,” an officer stated.
This Jan, a 12-year-old lady died after being hit by a college bus in southeast Delhi’s Sarita Vihar. The sufferer’s mom was crossing the highway together with her daughter and had gestured for the bus to halt, however the driver didn’t heed her. The driving force was arrested however received a spot bail.
Final Oct, at the very least seven schoolchildren and the motive force of their van had been injured after a college bus rammed into it in southwest Delhi. In July 2023, a college bus and an SUV collided on the Delhi Meerut Expressway, leaving six individuals lifeless. The bus was on the unsuitable carriageway.
Officers expressed the necessity for consciousness drives, in addition to a crackdown.
Final yr, Delhi Site visitors Police organised highway security consciousness classes for varsity bus drivers to sensitise them however these efforts appear to have proved insufficient.
Site visitors consultants stated there was a notable absence of mandated checks by authorities to make sure drivers’ competence in dealing with such tasks. “In the course of the morning rush between 6.30 am and eight am and the afternoon hustle from 1pm-2pm, there is a palpable sense of urgency amongst drivers, together with these transporting schoolchildren. “Sadly, there appears to be a scarcity of emphasis on refresher coaching for the drivers. Many do not have formal schooling and a few maintain a number of licences with out correct skilled coaching,” Prince Singhal, a highway security professional, stated.
Additionally, each institutions and institutes appear to miss the significance of conducting such trainings, officers added. “Authorities laws additionally seem like missing in requiring drivers to bear a sure stage of proficiency checks earlier than being entrusted with the accountability of driving business autos, particularly these carrying schoolchildren. This regulatory hole, coupled with subpar highway engineering, creates a doubtlessly hazardous setting for youngsters,” Singhal stated.
Faculty officers stated that they take all essential measures to make sure that the drivers are usually not rash on the highway. “We even have devoted cellphone numbers displayed on the physique of our buses in order that commuters can report violations or situations of rash driving. We additionally counsel our drivers at common intervals,” an administrator in-charge of a distinguished college in central Delhi stated.
A consultant of a college in east Delhi, who did not want to be named, stated the establishment additionally ensured that their drivers had been effectively skilled. Their antecedents had been verified. “Background checks are an vital a part of our hiring/leasing course of,” she stated.
