Introduction
Without a question, the most practical way for students to travel to school is by school bus. However, children who ride school buses sadly have to deal with a variety of safety concerns. As a result, certain laws are in place to guarantee safety.
The mandates by Road and Transport Authority (RTA) offer parents and students alike comfort, security, and safety. These advantages include avoiding traffic bottlenecks, cutting down on pollution emissions from vehicle exhaust, and getting to schools on time.
According to a LinkedIn post by NeoTrack Smart Mobility Solutions, it has been revealed that more than 400 school buses and vans in Nagpur alone do not have current fitness certificates. These cars are still on the road, endangering the lives of many students every day. However, in parallel, a High Court decision in Bhopal resulted in the removal of 650 school buses that did not adhere to safety standards.
Unsettling data was found in a nationwide study that was carried out in places like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata that basic safety is compromised because 47% of school buses are not equipped with seatbelts.
This article outlines the standard rules laid down by the Supreme Court and delves into additional tips to ensure school bus.
For further detailed information on this topic, visit the Ministry of Road transport and Highways website: https://morth.nic.in/en
Standard Indian School Bus Requirements
- Colour: In India, it is required that all school buses have a golden yellow exterior. This colour must adhere to IS 5-1994 (specified paint colour) and the same is modified periodically.
- Emergency Exits: All Indian school buses are required to have two emergency exits. One on the right side of the bus’s back half and one on the back side. Children should be taught how to operate these doorways.
- Alert: The bus should not be able to move if either the passenger door or an emergency exit is open. A flashing light, buzzer, or other appropriate methods should ideally alert the driver when the doors are open.
- Signals: Every time the passenger door opens, a stop signal arm, a hazard warning and stopping signals should activate and light up.
- Speed Limitation: To make sure the driver does not go over the speed limit, a tamper-proof speed governor* that conforms with Rule 118 of CMV (A)R 1989* should be installed.
* Speed Governor: A governor, also known as a speed limiter or controller, is a tool used to gauge and manage an engines or other machine’s speed.
Supreme Court of India: Rules for School Buses
For more information visit: http://miraz-securitas.com/blog/2023/05/30/supreme-court-rule-indian-school-bus-safety/
- Wording: Both the front and back of the bus must bear the words “School Bus.”
- First Aid: Every bus is required to have a first aid box that must be constantly resupplied.
- Fire Extinguisher: The bus is required to have a fire extinguisher.
- Name: The bus must bear the name of the school and the phone number.
- Display’s: “On School Duty” should be prominently displayed, if the bus has been hired for specific events.
- Grills: Horizontal grills should be installed on the bus windows.
- Bus Attendant: The bus is required to have a school attendant on board.
- Maximum capacity: The number of children carried on the bus cannot be more than 1.5 times the allowed seating capacity if they are under the age of 12. Children who are over 12 should be treated as a single individual.
- License and Uniform: In addition to having a valid license to operate an LMV-Transport Vehicle for a minimum of four years, a school bus driver is required to wear a light blue shirt, blue pants and black shoes. This uniform should also be supplemented by a name tag.
- Bag Capacity: There should be adequate room for school bags to be kept inside the car; they shouldn’t be put on roof carriers or hanging outside.
- Consent for pickup: In cases of kindergarten children, the child will be returned to the school, and their parents will be contacted if a mutually agreed-upon authorised person fails to pick them up from the bus stop.
New additions: Increase in safety
In India, school bus tracking has become a vital option due to growing urbanization, traffic jams, and safety concerns, School bus tracking systems improve efficiency, safety and peace of mind for all parties involved by utilising new technology, such as GPS and CCTV.
- CCTV and GPS: CCTV and GPS tracking are now required in school buses. CCTV installation is required on school property. CCTV footage must be retained for 60 days and turned over to the police for any investigative purposes. The Bangalore Metropolitan Corporation has installed five hundred cameras on school buses. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made GPS tracking mandatory.
- Tracking: An innovative safety feature making it possible to track school buses in real time is called a Vehicle Tracking System (VTS). To make sure the bus stays on the approved route and timetable, parents and school officials can keep an eye on its whereabouts. This function improves security and gives parents comfort in knowing their kids are protected.
Any infraction of the Supreme Court and new rules and regulations by the school may result in a penalty under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, formerly, Section 118 of the Indian Penal Code 1860.
An increasing number of regulations are continuously emerging to improve each students travel experiences.
Difficulties in Policy Implementation
- Compliance gaps: Strict criteria are difficult for small-scale transport providers to achieve. Thirty percent of small operators lack the resources necessary to adhere to all safety rules, according to a National School Transportation Association report.
- Absence of Monitoring: Safety breaches are caused by inadequate enforcement measures.
- Cost barriers: It can be expensive to upgrade buses and implement new technologies. A new school bus has a minimum cost of 7-7.5 lakhs, which makes it challenging for many people to comply.
How can these challenges be addressed?
Government regulations are crucial in determining the safety of school transport. Students are in a safer environment thanks to these regulations, which address hazards and enforce strict procedures.
However, it is paramount for parents and schools to keep up with the regulations and adhere to the rules that have been put in place for the safety of the children. Additionally, advocating for change and spreading the word about the failures of policy implementation surrounding school bus safety, would lead to an increase in security for the children.
Though regulations help enforce safety standards, awareness and discussion of these rules between parents and children, including talks of self-enforcement will enhance school bus safety. Teach your children about some of the more essential and basic regulations for the buses and the drivers, making them personally aware of their surroundings.
In case you are looking for customized child safety training, POCSO-related training, or POCSO advisory services, please feel free to reach out to us at +919004521614 or [email protected].
Authored by Tara Chanda, Content Writer Intern