Udupi: Police booked 203 cases and collected fines amounting to Rs 71,000 during a district-wide special drive to inspect vehicles transporting schoolchildren on Tuesday. A total 483 vehicles were checked, with most violations relating to overcrowding and drivers not wearing uniforms.According to a press release, the special drive was launched across all police station limits in Udupi district, following public complaints and directions issued by health and family welfare minister UT Khader during a district-level review meeting held at the deputy commissioner’s office on July 4.Udupi SP Hariram Shankar stated that the drive was aimed at ensuring the safety of schoolchildren and effective enforcement of road safety norms. Police inspected school buses, vans, autorickshaws and other vehicles used to transport children to and from schools.During the inspection, officials verified vehicle documents, fitness certificates, insurance, driving licences, mandatory safety standards for school vehicles, fire extinguishers, first-aid boxes, emergency exits and whether vehicles were carrying more children than the permitted capacity.Cases were registered under the Motor Vehicles Act against vehicles found violating traffic rules and school transport safety norms. Drivers, vehicle operators and school managements were instructed to accord top priority to the safety of schoolchildren, and strictly comply with all prescribed safety measures.Police said violations such as overcrowding, lack of documents, absence of safety equipment and other breaches of rules would be viewed seriously. Similar special drives will continue in the coming days.Drive statisticsVehicles checked: 483Total cases booked: 203Fine collected: Rs 71,000Violation-wise breakup:Carrying excess schoolchildren: 112 casesDrivers without uniform: 58 casesOther violations: 33 cases
