Hyderabad traffic police arrested five drunk school bus drivers; 324 buses checked, vehicles seized, schools reminded of SC safety norms

HYDERABAD: Traffic police on Wednesday caught five school bus drivers driving allegedly under the influence of alcohol.During a special drive, police checked 324 school buses at 34 locations, including Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills, Panjagutta, Begumpet, SR Nagar and Marredpally.

Cases were registered against the drivers and later they were produced before court.

The buses were seized and instructions were sent to the respective school managements not to deploy such drivers. Deputy commissioner of police, Traffic-I, Hyderabad, Rahul Hegde BK emphasised that school managements should be aware of the guidelines of the Supreme Court issued in WP (Civil) 1309 of 1985 regarding steps to be taken for the transport of school children from the residence to school and vice versa."There must be an appropriate permit for the vehicle issued by a competent authority as a 'Passenger Transport Vehicle'. No such vehicle shall carry children in excess of its permitted seating capacity. The school name and telephone number must be displayed," he said. Police officials said that whenever a contract carriage was used for carrying school children, the owner of the vehicle must give intimation to the local police station/DCP/SP traffic of the district, indicating the name of the driver and particulars of the vehicle.School managements were further asked to ensure that there is an attendant in every vehicle. 'On School Duty' must be permanently written on every school van or bus, police further said.