School reopening: City Police to enforce strict traffic regulations from Tomorrow

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In anticipation of the upcoming school reopening and the start of the new academic year, the Thiruvananthapuram City Traffic Police have announced comprehensive traffic regulations across the city, effective tomorrow. The measures aim to guarantee hassle-free commutes and robust safety for school and college students.

According to the official advisory, strict protocols have been laid down for the pick-up and drop-off of students within designated school zones. Drivers must utilise designated safe zones to prevent traffic bottlenecks and potential accidents.

To maintain clear corridors, the police have banned roadside vending and vehicular parking on roads adjacent to educational institutions. Authorities warned that violating vehicles will be promptly towed away using recovery vehicles, and owners will face legal action.

Furthermore, transport vehicles are strictly prohibited from overcrowding beyond their legal seating capacity. The traffic police emphasised that all student-transporting vehicles must strictly adhere to the Motor Vehicles Act, possessing valid fitness certificates, permits, and mandatory safety equipment.

Logistical Directives and Safety Norms:

• Compound Boarding: School buses and private institutional vehicles must board and deboard students strictly within school premises. Parking on school zone roads or major city thoroughfares is prohibited.
• Timing Restrictions: Transport vehicles are permitted to line up near school gates only 30 minutes prior to the closing bell.
• Heavy Vehicle Ban: To ease peak-hour congestion, goods-carrying vehicles will be barred from school zones during school opening and closing hours.
• Pedestrian Priority: Motorists driving through school zones must reduce speed and yield to children crossing the street. If heavy congestion occurs, traffic will be dynamically diverted through alternative routes.

The advisory also mandates a disciplined queue system for students boarding or exiting vehicles. Every student transport vehicle must deploy an attendant alongside the driver. Both drivers and assistants are instructed to exercise extreme vigilance when children cross the road or navigate around the front and rear of the vehicles.

The City Traffic Police have directed school managements to actively oversee and ensure compliance with these safety protocols. Stringent legal penalties await violators who disregard the newly implemented timings and regulations.