Car drivers, owners deplore District Administration directive

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 24, 2016: Members of Car Owners and Drivers Association have met here on June 23, Thursday in the wake of the guidelines laid down for private school vehicles in the aftermath of the Kundapur tragedy that claimed the lives of eight children.

 

The car owners and drivers present in the meeting explained that it would be extremely difficult for them to adhere to some of the guidelines like painting their vehicle yellow, as  problems were likely to arise when their vehicles are hired for  purposes other than ferrying school children.

On the administration directive to carry only eight children in vans, the Association suggested that the limit should be increased to 12. As several private drivers have already agreed to ferry school children, they are put into trouble by the new rules, the members said and requested the police to refrain from  taking action against the school vehicles. Some even felt that there was a possibility of the drivers opting for alternate routes to avoid police, and in the process   being late to schools.

MLC Ivan D’Souza was also present at the meeting. Later it was decided to submit a memorandum regarding the apprehensions of the car drivers and owners.

The office bearers of the Association are also expected to meet District in-charge Minister Ramanatha Rai on Saturday.