Toothukudi Collector issues guidelines to ensure children’s safety; all school vehicles to have a woman assistant

District Collector K. Elambahavath has instructed all schools in the district to post a woman assistant in each of their vehicles carrying children to schools and taking them back to their respective places

District Collector K. Elambahavath has instructed all schools in the district to post a woman assistant in each of their vehicles carrying children to schools and taking them back to their respective places.

As the annual safety audit of the vehicles of the schools and the colleges would be done during summer, Mr. Elambahavath and Superintendent of Police Albert John inspected some of the vehicles during the check done by the Transport Department officials attached to the Regional Transport Office here on Tuesday. A total of 213 vehicles belonging to 67 schools in Ottapidaaram and Thoothukudi taluks were checked on day one of this annual exercise.

The vehicles were screened for operational worthiness, safety equipment, first-aid kits, fire extinguishers, smooth operation of emergency exits, speed governors, and CCTV cameras.

The drivers were told to manoeuvre the vehicles at moderate speed to ensure the safety of the children and to always avoid tobacco products and alcohol.

When minor deviations were found in 65 vehicles, the school managements concerned were advised to rectify them and bring the vehicles again for safety audit. However, the fitness certificate of five vehicles were cancelled as the vehicles were found to be not fit for safe operation.

“Fitness certificate for these vehicles should be given only after the school managements fulfil all stipulated safety protocols and ensure the operational worthiness of these vehicles,” ordered Mr. Elambahavath.

The Collector said inspection of the vehicles was being conducted during the summer vacation to verify if the vehicles carrying the children were fulfilling 16 safety norms, which were vital for guaranteeing the children’s safety.