In a move aimed at ensuring the safety of students commuting to schools, Traffic Control Police wing of the Transport Department, Government of Manipur on Friday has issued a stern advisory to schools and school vehicle associations. The advisory emphasizes strict adherence to the maximum limit of students allowed in school vehicles, as mandated by the Transport department of Manipur since 2015.
The initiative comes amidst rising concerns over overcrowded school transportation, which poses significant risks to the safety and well-being of students, a concern also highlighted by the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety (CORS). The Traffic Control Police Wing highlighted that overloading vehicles beyond their capacity not only violates the law but also heightens the likelihood of accidents and injuries, particularly during sudden braking or collisions.
In a statement, Traffic Control Police SP Wungpam Kasar specified that no vehicle belonging to or used by any educational institution should seat children in excess of 1.5 times its registered capacity.
The Traffic Control Police Wing stressed the importance of strict enforcement of these regulations, warning that drivers found violating the seating capacity rules will face penalties under Section 194A of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019. This provision empowers authorities to impose fines on offenders to uphold safety standards.
