West Bengal schools are gearing up for a safer ride to and from school, with the state government issuing a new advisory mandating a range of safety features for school buses and pool cars.
The focus of the initiative is on real-time tracking and swift emergency response. All vehicles transporting children will now be required to have GPS tracking devices for constant location monitoring. Additionally, panic buttons will be installed to empower drivers to contact authorities in emergencies directly.
Keeping student safety at the forefront, the advisory enforces a maximum speed limit of 40 kmph for school buses and pool cars. Curtains or tinted windows will be prohibited to ensure clear visibility into the vehicles from outside.
All school buses will sport a bright mustard yellow paint job for easy identification with a designated navy blue band displaying the school's name. Each bus must also have proper seatbelts for every passenger, fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, and secure school bag racks.
Enhanced communication protocols are also being implemented. The contact information for school authorities, the local police station, and the ChildLine Helpline will be prominently displayed inside and outside the vehicles.
The advisory aims to improve pool car safety as well. Open-top vehicles will no longer be permitted for student transportation, and the installation of additional seating beyond the approved capacity is strictly prohibited.