Haryana Roadways buses sans seat belts; DLSA shows concern

Tribune News Service

Advertisement

Chandigarh, July 25

The Haryana Roadways buses are not equipped with seat belts and are being driven in violation of the traffic rules. This was observed during a traffic awareness workshop for bus drivers organised by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) at Panchkula today.

Expressing a concern, DLSA Secretary-cum-Chief Judicial Magistrate Nidhi Bansal took up the matter with the Haryana Transport Director. “It came to our notice that the drivers are not wearing seat belts. On inquiry, it was found that there are no seat belts in Haryana Roadways buses,” Bansal told Chandigarh Tribune.

She said the matter was taken up with the local Transport Depot Manager Dr Vyom Sharma, who informed that there was no provision for seat belts in the buses.

“In private buses, seat belts are there but not in Roadways buses. This despite the fact that seat belt is necessary for the safety of the bus driver. It is an offence to drive without wearing a seat belt,” said the DLSA Secretary.

Bansal said the Transport Director had been asked to rather make provision of seat belts for all passengers in buses, the way these are available in cars.

Meanwhile, the DLSA, along with the traffic police, conducted a special drive at Majri Chowk, during which those caught driving in a drunken state were challaned.

Members of the DLSA and an NGO sensitised people to traffic rules. Reflective tapes were affixed to the rear of vehicles, bicycles and helmets. Traffic awareness camps were also held in schools.