- Traffic police stop auto carrying 23 schoolchildren, urge safety measures
- Parents and officials call for strict school transport regulations after shocking overload
Hyderabad: Traffic police in Nagar Kurnool stopped an auto rickshaw carrying 23 school students, far exceeding its capacity, raising serious safety concerns. Seven-seater autos are designed to hold only eight passengers including the driver, making this incident a clear breach of safety limits.
Traffic Sub-Inspector Kalyan stopped the vehicle near the town center during a routine check. He was shocked to see the overcrowded auto carrying nearly triple its capacity. “I expressed anger at the auto driver and warned him strict action will follow if he repeats the act,” SI Kalyan said. He called two additional autos to safely return the children home. The officer stressed that the driver’s actions risked young lives and could have had serious consequences.
Following the incident, SI Kalyan urged school managements to take responsibility for monitoring how students travel daily. He also advised auto drivers to avoid overloading and prioritize safety. “Children cannot protect themselves,” he said, calling on parents to stay alert and not allow their children to travel in overloaded vehicles. “One careless act can change many lives,” he warned.
The event sparked widespread public concern after a video showing the children disembarking went viral. Many expressed shock and anger online, questioning the driver’s judgment and blaming the school management for negligence. Several users criticized parents for not ensuring safer travel arrangements and demanded stronger action to prevent such dangerous oversights.
Officials were urged to regularly inspect school transport vehicles and enforce stringent safety rules. Community members emphasized that children rely on adults for their protection and that enforcing transport safety must remain a priority.
This incident highlights ongoing challenges in ensuring safe commutes for school children and the urgent need for stricter supervision of school transport services in the region.
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