Kerala MVD authorities fail to curb rash driving
The private bus drivers are given training on road manners by the MVD.
Kollam: The police and the MVD authorities have failed to curb rash and careless driving by private buses in the district. In the latest accident, a 38-year-old woman lost her life at Mukhathala in Kollam while trying to alight from a private bus the other day. The private buses in their effort to keep the time schedule stop in the middle of roads, rush to cross traffic signals and hurry before passengers can get down at the stops.
The authorities crack down on the payment dues made by the bus operators and conduct inspections for proper maintenance of buses. However, they fail in stopping the dangerous driving.
The buses race along the rural roads killing many in accidents. “The MVD has ensured that the private buses have doors for the passengers’ safety. The department also checks rash driving and speeding. The passengers file their complaints online using mobile apps, which is addressed by the MVD,” said Mr R. Thulaseedharan Pillai, regional transport officer, Kollam.
Several private buses plying through the National Highway and the local roads halt in the middle of the road, denying side to the vehicles from behind. This is also an apparent attempt not to permit the KSRTC buses to overtake them. “There is lack of bus-bays. We have urged the highway authority to construct proper bus-bays at prominent stops, for which they have not yet responded positively,” the RTO said.
The private bus drivers are given training on road manners by the MVD. However, lack of availability of permanent staff members as drivers and co-drivers also forces the private bus owners to temporarily appoint inexperienced drivers. The project envisaged to install GPS facility in private buses to track their speed has also reached nowhere.