Bareilly: The driver of a private school bus was challaned after he was found to be under the influence of alcohol while ferrying 24 students during a surprise check in the city on Monday afternoon. The incident has once again exposed the perils posed by inebriated men risking the lives of children who bank on them for a safe transport. While officials did not charge the driver with any criminal offence, he got away by paying Rs 2,000 as fine. The traffic department has, however, called for a massive drive to stop erring drivers from putting the lives of citizens at risk.
The bus driver, Anil Saini, was stopped at Chowki crossing here and made to take a sobriety test during which he was caught driving drunk.
Speaking with TOI, superintendent of police (traffic), Kamlesh Bahadur said, “A surprise inspection was conducted by the traffic department to nab offenders. Saini, driver of the private school bus, was tested too and found to be drunk. He was challaned and the vehicle confiscated. A sum of Rs 2,000 was recovered in fine.”
Bahadur added, “A notice will be served to the school authorities stating the gross irresponsibility on their part and risking the lives of school children. The regional transport office (RTO) will also be asked to cancel Saini’s driving licence.”
Officials of the traffic department said that 78 people were caught without driving licenses on Monday. All offenders were fined and Rs 2,700 was recovered during the day. The traffic policemen also seized 23 vehicles, including 21 two-wheelers, one school van and one school bus. Traffic sub-inspector, Manoj Patel, told TOI, “As many as 21 two-wheelers that were driven by minors were also taken into possession by officials. Besides, two school vehicles were impounded after the driver of one was found carrying a fake licence while another driver was unable to produce a commercial permit to run a vehicle.”