Motor Vehicles Act amended

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Following a direction by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in the wake of the tragic school van tragedies in the State, the State Government has amended the Motor Vehicles Act 1988. The amendment which was notified last February came into effect on May 10. The two tragic school van accidents in the capital in 2011 had raised much hue and cry in the State. While six students and a caretaker were killed in the mishap at Karikkakom in February, four tiny tots lost their lives in the second incident at Channankara seven months later. The Motor Vehicles Department had issued safety guidelines after the incidents which have now found place in the amended rules.  The new rules stipulate that the hired vehicles which carry school children should bear boards inscribed ‘On School Duty’ in blue letterS on white background. The board should be exhibited at the top of the front and rear ends of the vehicle. It has also been made mandatory for all vehicles carrying school children to have a fire extinguisher, besides a well-maintained first aid box. The windows should be fitted with horizontal grills and the name and telephone number of the institution should be prominently written on the vehicle. Ample space should be provided under the seats to keep school bags safe and a qualified attendant should be present in the vehicle. The revised rules also say that a driver who was fined even once for over-speeding, drunken driving or dangerous driving should not be employed in a school vehicle. Also, a driver who was fined more than twice in a year for offences like red light jumping or lane violation should not be allowed.  Vehicles carrying school children, both school vans and hired vehicles, have also been asked to keep the details of travellers, including names of the students and their guardians, address, telephone number or mobile number.  The vehicle can always be subjected to a surprise checking by the school authorities or representatives of the Parent Teacher Association to take stock of the nature of services rendered by the crew, the rules say.