Special Inspection of School Vehicles in Udupi District: 203 Cases Registered, Rs 71,000 Fine Collected
Udupi: In a bid to ensure the safety of schoolchildren and strengthen the enforcement of road safety regulations, the Udupi District Police conducted a district-wide special drive to inspect school vehicles on Tuesday.
The special inspection was launched following public complaints and directions issued by District In-charge Minister and Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader during the district-level officers’ meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office on July 4. The minister had instructed officials to maintain strict surveillance of vehicles transporting schoolchildren.
As part of the drive, police teams across all police station limits in the district inspected school buses, vans, auto-rickshaws, and other vehicles used to transport students to and from schools.
During the inspection, officials verified vehicle documents, fitness certificates, insurance, driving licences, and compliance with mandatory safety standards for school vehicles. They also checked the availability of fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, emergency exits, and whether vehicles were carrying students beyond the permitted capacity.
Legal action was initiated under the Motor Vehicles Act against vehicles found violating traffic and school transport safety regulations. Drivers, vehicle operators, and school managements were instructed to treat the safety of schoolchildren as their highest priority and ensure strict compliance with all prescribed safety measures.
The police warned that stringent action would be taken against violations such as overcrowding, absence of mandatory documents, lack of safety equipment, and other breaches of safety norms that endanger students. Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar stated that similar special enforcement drives would continue in the coming days to ensure the safe transportation of schoolchildren.
Special Drive Statistics:
- Total vehicles inspected: 483
- Cases of overcrowding (excess passengers): 112
- Drivers found without the prescribed uniform: 58
- Other traffic and safety violations: 33
- Total cases registered: 203
- Total fine collected: Rs 71,000