Child lock system to be disabled in passenger vehicles: Transport Dept

Bengaluru: The transport department plans to ban the child lock systems in passenger vehicles or taxis.

After reports stating several women were being sexually abused in Ola and Uber cabs, the departments planned to make changes in the norms.

Officials from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) said they have proposed to the government to remove child lock systems after several incidents where passengers were trapped in the vehicles during assault were reported. 

The passenger will be trapped when the child lock is turned on. The passenger will be helpless inside. Even during emergency they cant escape the situation.

Sources in the Transport Department noted that the proposal does not include banning the system from private vehicles. 

“Besides Ola and Uber cabs, the focus is on all vehicles carrying passengers through contract with private companies. The proposal has come following a petition in the high court over the safety of women travelling in taxis. A decision will be taken soon, said an official.

An RTO official said private vehicles will be allowed to have child lock, keeping in mind the safety of children travelling in the backseat while parents are driving. 

However the Bangalore Tourist Taxi Operators Association president Radhakrishna Holla, said authorities should have checked how many cases actually involved the use of child lock. 

“There are thousands of commercial vehicles which carry children to school everyday. Such a system may be necessary while transporting old people too. They should speak to stakeholders before taking a decision,” he said.