Mangaluru: Concerns rise over school vehicle safety

Mangaluru: A rise in school vehicle accidents has raised concerns among parents about the safety of their children. In a recent incident, a vehicle carrying school children overturned near Mittamoole in Vitla, leaving several students injured. A similar accident took place on Monday at Ishwar Nagar in Manipal, where an auto-rickshaw carrying eight students overturned, causing injuries. Such incidents frequently highlight driver negligence and trigger public concerns about the safety of student transport vehicles. However, effective safety measures are yet to be implemented.

Regulatory violations persist despite temporary discussions following each accident. Auto-rickshaws continue to carry more students than allowed, posing significant risks.

According to regulations, only five children under the age of 12 are permitted in each auto-rickshaw. However, some autos are reportedly carrying up to 10-12 students, a situation observed both in urban and rural areas. While the police impose fines and register cases when violations are observed, these practices continue unabated.

Warnings and Fines for Violations

ACP of Mangaluru Traffic Division, Najma Farooqi, emphasized that meetings with vehicle operators, bus owners, and school principals have been conducted to address these issues. Authorities have been instructed to impose fines and file cases against vehicles found violating safety norms.

She urged parents to remain vigilant about vehicles that transport their children unsafely and encouraged the public to report repeat offenders to facilitate stricter enforcement.

Demand for Stronger Action

Mohan Kumar Attavara, President of the School Vehicle Drivers’ Association, Dakshina Kannada, stressed that police and RTO officials should take action against vehicles violating rules. While tourist vehicle drivers mostly adhere to safety norms, privately operated vehicles (whiteboard vehicles) frequently disregard regulations.

Violations Extend to Other Vehicles

Reports indicate that the issue is not limited to auto-rickshaws; minibuses operated by schools and other private or rental vehicles also often transport more students than allowed. Overcrowding, speeding, dangerous parking, and lack of safety measures are increasingly common violations.