Monday, 25 SEPTEMBER 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Transport department has sought details of school bus and van drivers from the administration of schools in Dehradun to provide them necessary training to operate vehicles carrying students. The department has already begun providing training to school bus drivers in Dehradun in the first phase and it will be commenced soon in other districts as well, said the regional transport officer (enforcement) Shailesh Tiwari. He said that in these training workshops, the drivers are taught about road etiquette and what precautions should be taken while picking up and dropping children. The workshop focuses on sensitising them towards the safety of children in every possible way. “They are also made aware of mandatory requirements in school buses as per guidelines. They are thoroughly taught about first aid, road signs, traffic rules, safe driving practices and techniques to handle children during emergencies. We try to make them aware of all possible dos and don’ts while they transport school children,” said Tiwari. He said that the department has made arrangements to provide training to two batches of 40 drivers each simultaneously. The department will also issue them a training certificate after successful completion of the training, he added. Tiwari further said that the department also held a meeting with school van operators and will soon commence their training session after getting their list from schools. He said that the department is also taking cognisance of several complaints against vehicles carrying school students. “The enforcement teams are conducting regular checking of vehicles carrying students in all districts under the regional transport office of Dehradun division and imposing penalties. We have also acted against public transport vehicles carrying school children against the rules. The situation will certainly improve after the school drivers will get training from the department. We will continue to act against such violations as well,” he added.
