Hyderabad: Five school bus drivers were caught driving under the influence of alcohol during a special traffic enforcement drive in Hyderabad on June 18. The operation covered 34 locations across the West and North Zones, including Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills, Panjagutta, Begumpet, SR Nagar, Marredpally, Bowenpally, Trimulgherry, Mahankali, and Gopalpuram.
The traffic police inspected a total of 324 school buses during the drive. Officials confirmed that the errant drivers were found in breach of traffic safety norms.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic-I, Rahul Hegde, B.K. IPS, reiterated the importance of strict adherence to the Supreme Court’s guidelines (W.P. Civil 1309 of 1985) for vehicles transporting schoolchildren. He said school managements must ensure full compliance with the directives.
The guidelines mandate that only vehicles with valid passenger transport permits should be used. “On School Duty” must be visibly displayed at the front and rear of the vehicle. Overloading of children is prohibited, and no child should be seated on another’s lap. Each vehicle must carry a first-aid kit and drinking water.
Where seat belts are present, they must be worn. The school’s name and contact number must be displayed on the bus. Only drivers with at least five years’ experience and no prior traffic offences should be assigned. In case of contract vehicles, details of the driver and vehicle must be reported to local police or traffic authorities.
Each school bus must also have an attendant to assist children during boarding and alighting. School authorities are responsible for ensuring that drivers follow all traffic regulations.
Addl. DCP Traffic-I Venugopal Reddy, ACP West Zone Hari Prasad, and ACP North Zone Shankar Raju participated in the operation.
