BELAGAVI: City traffic police began cracking the whip on autorickshaws ferrying schoolchildren more than a stipulated number. The initiative was started following several complaints from parents.
On Thursday, city traffic police caught 81 autos at different schools while the drivers were dropping children. The auto drivers were booked under the
Motor Vehicles Act for ferrying more than six children. According to the Act, autos can fetch a maximum six students at a time and crossing this limit is a punishable offence.
City police commissioner
DC Rajappa told TOI that police received several complaints from parents about autorickshaws ferrying more children. "Autos are fully packed with kids and school bags are hung on the vehicle's side. Besides, younger students are made to sit on the laps of elder students. This is unsafe and we can't entertain it," he said.
The officer said he has asked traffic police to continue the drive against such autos adding that shortly a meeting with auto rickshaw associations would be held to inform drivers about the rules on ferrying schoolchildren. According to Rajappa, some school vans are also carrying children beyond permissible limits and notices would be issued to such schools.
Rajappa added that it's is also the responsibility of parents to ensure the safety of their wards.