Open House what needs to be done to ensure safety of children travelling by school buses?

Invest in better road designs, clear signage

The recent spike in road accidents involving school buses in Ludhiana has raised concerns about the safety of schoolchildren. In two separate incidents, careless drivers crashed buses into stationary objects, killing two students, injuring many more. These events may look minor in the grand scheme of road safety but they pose major concerns when considering the vulnerability of schoolchildren and the role school buses play in their daily life. Several variables contribute to the rise in school bus accidents. The primary issue is the persistent and rising traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours, when school buses are most active. Second, inadequate infrastructure and driver conduct are both major contributors to the recent surge in school bus accidents. The consequences of these incidents extend far beyond the immediate physical impairment; children suffering these accidents commonly experience long-term psychological trauma, which can compromise their academic performance and overall well-being. To handle the school bus issue, we must adopt a holistic approach. First and foremost, there needs to be a greater emphasis on infrastructure upgrades. Investing in better road design, crosswalks and clear signage can help to prevent school-related dangers. Furthermore, there is an urgent need for tougher laws and increased enforcement of vehicle maintenance and professional driver behaviour. —Novin Christopher

Ensure conductor is present at all times

The first and most important thing to do is to make it mandatory to install a speed governor in all school buses with a limit of 40 km/h. Secondly, the device should be checked quarterly by the authorities. Live streaming cameras should be installed in all buses, with access granted to parents and school authorities. Parents and authorities should conduct surprise checks on buses. The number of kids must be limited to the number of seats available. Finally, one conductor should be present in each bus to ensure student safety and security. —Manish Dhawan

Educate pupils on suitable precautions

In my opinion, a lot needs to be done to prevent bus accidents. First and foremost, the bus should be well-maintained and examined on a regular basis. Second, bus drivers should receive sufficient safety training and undergo background checks. Third, clear policies for student behaviour on the bus must be formed, and one teacher should be present to keep an eye on the students to ensure that no accident happens as a result of their unruly behaviour. Then, a GPS device should be installed to ascertain the bus’ location, so that if a problem arises, the school’s officials can easily locate it. Each and every school bus should have suitable and well-maintained safety and security equipment like as fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and so on, so that if a natural disaster or mechanical problem occurs, it can be readily resolved. Finally, I want to emphasise that kids, school administrators and bus drivers should all be aware of the dangers of irresponsible driving. They must speak with the pupils about the safety precautions that can be taken during an emergency. —Parmeet

Report erring drivers proactively

To ensure the safety of students travelling by school bus, it should be the bus driver’s top priority to be more vigilant and to observe traffic rules as a responsible citizen. If the driver is not doing his duties properly, the parents should file a complaint about it. So it is up to the schoolchildren and parents to act quickly against anyone who poses a threat to collective road safety. —Simranpreet Kaur

Safeguarding lives is shared responsibility

Many parents are now anxious over sending their children on school buses. There are numerous crucial elements that schools should consider when it comes to student safety. So here are a few solutions to the road safety issue. Regular inspections: Schools must inspect buses to ensure that everything is in working order, including brakes, emergency exits and so on. Drivers training: Before hiring drivers, schools must administer a test and teach them how to manage children. Drug and alcohol test: The main cause of the Jagraon bus accident was that the driver was ‘extremely’ inebriated, so it is critical to ensure that drivers do not drive under the influence of any intoxicant. Teach them: Instruct students on what to do in case of an accident and how to use emergency exits. GPS and cameras: Install GPS trackers and cameras in the buses to ensure the safety of schoolchildren. The cameras will provide evidence if something goes wrong. Another thing we can do is to train the bus driver, conductor and students above 16 on how to act, protect and rescue if such an incident occurs. —Harshdeep Singh

Designate official to monitor driving

It is regrettable that some children have been hurt and one has died in the recent school bus accidents. To avoid such mishaps, speed restriction must be mechanically fixed so that the driver cannot overspeed the vehicle. The driver must be above the legal driving age. He should not be under the influence of intoxicants while driving. School officials must assign one person to accompany the driver to monitor rash driving. The government should ‘issue warnings’ to residents so that they do not overtake the school bus when children are on board and keep their vehicle at a safe distance. Parents must also notify schools if they notice reckless driving. Install effective speed breakers near schools. The driver should not use a mobile phone while driving. They must only stop the buses at designated bus stops. Before driving the bus, the driver must check the air pressure of the tyres, as well as the brake oil, to avoid an unexpected accident. Residents must prepare their children to board the bus before it arrives so that the driver can get to school on time. —Dr Mohd Saleem Farooqui

Follow govt’s safe school vahan policy

Taking note of recent media reports about school bus accidents, the Punjab State Child Rights Protection Commission has emphasised student safety as top priority, and school buses must adhere to all safety standards outlined in the government’s ‘Safe School Vahan Policy’. The regulations require school buses to have a suitable permit, CCTV cameras, fire extinguishers, an attendant and staff in uniform, pollution control clearance, contact numbers for the fire station and police, speed governors, a woman attendant for female students and first aid kits, among other things. Also, school buses should not be overloaded.

Principals of all government and private schools in the district have been directed to submit a self-declaration of policy compliance as soon as possible to avoid any ‘unpleasant’ action by the competent authority. To reduce accidents and fatalities, drivers, parents, schoolteachers and pupils must ensure the rules are enforced. The driver must have at least five years of experience driving heavier vehicles and no past record of traffic violations. The RTO should conduct dope tests on drivers every six months. Traffic police officers should be stationed at strategic locations with alcometers to monitor drunk driving. The buses must travel at a safe speed, taking into account the traffic, crossroads, bends, bus stops, train stations, and any other condition that requires special attention. The vehicle must be roadworthy, with a valid fitness and insurance certificate. Parents should ensure their children take safe transportation to school. The principal must submit a detailed list of school buses and drivers to the SHO concerned. —RS Sembhi

Take proper caution while hiring drivers

A school bus driver bears significant responsibility for the lives of numerous pupils. So, the school administration must exercise caution when hiring one. He should have a heavy vehicle licence and previous experience driving a school bus or van. He should always be punctual and patient. He should have well understood how to pick up and drop off pupils safely. His driving style should be safe and comfortable for the students. He should drive a bus at a safe speed. The bus should be painted yellow so that it can be noticed from a long distance. The driver should not be inebriated or an addict. The school bus should have cameras fitted and have a permanent conductor. —Sucha Singh Sagar

Avoid overcrowding at all costs

The fact that young lives were endangered in these two events is cause for significant worry. To protect the safety and security of schoolchildren travelling by bus, the first step should be to keep track of how many children are on each bus. Overcrowding is commonplace, often forcing children to stand or sit in uncomfortable positions. Sudden braking by the driver can cause significant injury. Schools should also hire only physically fit drivers who have passed a comprehensive background check and driving exam. Furthermore, a female attendant and a conductor should always be present on the bus to handle emergencies. Children should also be taught ‘good bus manners’. Schools, parents and drivers must all collaborate to promote a safe travelling environment. —Kirandeep Kaur

Equip vans with latest road safety tech

Regardless of the numerous rules and regulations governing school bus drivers, accidents continue to occur as a result of the conductor and driver’s callous attitudes. Here are some suggestions to avoid such accidents in the future:

Only an experienced driver should be hired. There must be proper uniforms. They must have a valid driver’s licence and should never entrust the bus to anyone under the 18, even in an emergency. Each bus must have one conductor who should keep a check on the driver as needed. The bus must be equipped with the latest of road safety technology, such as airbags. Regulating speed and automated brake systems can save children’s lives. No conductor should let the children alight while the vehicle is coming to a halt. Some siren or signalling system should be installed in buses to inform the driver of a potential hazard. If residents notice a speeding school bus, they must proactively report it to the police and school authorities. —Farzana Khan

Drivers must follow rules religiously

Bus accidents are becoming alarmingly commonplace. Here are some suggestions to address the issue: School buses, mandatorily, should have their lights, brakes, and other components tested on a regular basis. Bus drivers should religiously adhere to traffic signals and speed limits. Drivers should remain vigilant for any potential hazards. Bus attendants must be vigilant and maintain student discipline in order to avoid distracting the driver. Drivers should keep a safe distance from other vehicles to avoid accidents. There should be a set speed limit for school buses that traffic cops should ensure no driver crosses. All children should maintain a good seating posture so that they are not hurt in the event of sudden braking. —Gauri Rampal

Create comprehensive emergency plan

As a college student, I’ve noticed that many of my younger siblings, relatives and friends rely on school buses for their daily commute to the school. It’s distressing to learn about accidents and safety concerns that put lives in danger. I feel that road safety should take precedence, and we should take proactive measures to keep our pupils safe. Here are some safeguards I propose the administration should implement to address the issue: Install CCTV cameras in school buses to monitor activity and to avoid mishaps. Ensure bus drivers receive intensive training to deal with emergency situations. Appoint female conductors to watch pupils and resolve problems occurring during the journey. Adhere to speed restrictions to avoid accidents and ensure a timely arrival. Prevent overcrowding so that children can sit comfortably and safely. Regularly maintain school buses to avoid breakdowns and accidents. Install seatbelts to keep pupils safe. Create a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan that includes protocols for accidents, injuries and severe weather. Implementing these measures will considerably improve the safety and security of our younger generation. I hope the authorities take these proposals seriously and take the necessary steps to provide a safe road environment for

our pupils. —Tamanna Verma

Regular maintenance is paramount

Regular maintenance and inspections are critical to ensuring the safety of children on school buses. Regular inspections will ensure that critical components such as brakes and tires are in good working order, lowering the chance of mechanical failure. Furthermore, providing buses with advanced safety features like GPS, cameras, and collision avoidance systems can dramatically improve the driver’s ability to detect and avoid possible mishaps. These procedures, which cover both preventive maintenance and real-time safety monitoring, will help create a safer environment for kids overall. —Tamanpreet Kaur Khangura

Strict action to ensure safety

Shools will have to implement the Safe School Vahan Scheme in letter and in spirit to avoid action by the administration in near future. The RTO and the traffic police have been asked to ensure compliance and take strict action against those violating the norms. — Sakhsi Sawhney, Deputy Commissioner

QUESTION

The quality of Buddha Nullah waters is not conforming to the laid down parameters, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has confirmed. What needs to be done to free the Sutlej tributary of pollution?

Suggestions in not more than 200 words can be sent to ludhianadesk@tribunemail.com by Thursday (August 22)