Punjab Enforces School Vehicle Safety Measures Amid Dense Winter Fog

Prioritising the safety of schoolchildren, the Punjab government has issued directives to prevent unfortunate incidents arising from heavy fog throughout the winter months. Dr Baljit Kaur, Punjab's Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, has mandated rigorous enforcement of the Safe School Vehicle Policystatewide, says a report by Times of India.

Dr Kaur said that the Punjab government remains wholly dedicated to safeguarding children's safety and welfare. She underscored that the Mann government's unambiguous policy dictates that every child must travel securely between home and school. Consequently, all safety regulations governing school transport are being implemented stringently during the fog-prone winter period, she noted.

Outlining essential safety provisions, Dr Kaur explained that during periods of reduced visibility, maintaining adequate sight lines, decreasing vehicle speeds, utilising reflectors, and operating headlights alongside fog lamps have become compulsory requirements. 

Explicit directives regarding these measures have been communicated to educational institutions and transport operators.

The minister indicated that pursuant to the transport department's Safe School Vehicle Policy, systematic inspections of school transport would be carried out statewide, with full adherence to all stipulated standards being ensured to prevent any form of incident.

She additionally instructed school administrators that drivers should face no unwarranted pressure should school vehicles experience delays attributable to fog. Rather, prevailing weather circumstances should be acknowledged, with the security of pupils and staff travelling in school transport receiving paramount consideration. The Punjab government, she declared, would accept no compromises regarding children's safety under any conditions.