Hyderabad: Schools to have breathalyzers

Hyderabad: A driver of Slate the School who was drunk while driving a school bus with 20 kids was caught by the Abids traffic police. Sd. Wajeed, 28, was caught near Taj Mahal Hotel, close to the school.

He was caught during a special drive, wherein 635 autorickshaws, 42 vans and 26 school buses were checked. “At about 8.40 am on Monday, traffic police officials stopped the school bus (AP 26 W 7019), of Slate School, and was checked for drunk driving. His blood alcohol count was 41, beyond the permissible limit, which of 30,” said an official.

A case was booked against him under Section 185 of MV (Motor Vehicle) Act and his vehicle was seized. The police said Wajeed would be severely punished for endangering the safety of children. “He will be given counselling and produced in court. We will sure he will be severely punished. We expect him to receive a longer jail sentence,” an official said.

The children were escorted to the school, which was a short distance away, on foot. Upon coming to know about the incident, agitated parents demanded an answer from the school management which said such incidents will not happen again.

When asked, Slate School additional principal Radhika said the driver had been suspended. “We have suspended him immediately and will be making the drivers take an oath not to drink on duty,” she said. The traffic police said this was not a one-off drive.

“From now on we will do it throughout the year. We have given clear instructions to the parents and schools to send their children in a proper vehicle which has a fitness certificate,” additional commissioner of police, Hyderabad, Anil Kumar said.

Mr Amarnath Vasi Reddy, correspondent of Slate School, said the had consumed beer on Sunday evening. He said the school was taking action on the driver. “We will never compromise on children's safety.” he said and promised that the school would use breathalyzers on drivers.