Hyderabad Police to Report Minor Driving Cases to Schools for Negative Marks
Hyderabad police and GHMC have launched an action plan to improve student road safety. Measures include reporting minors driving to schools, stricter transport oversight, and mandatory safety infrastructure for institutions to curb congestion and accidents during school hours.
Highlights
- •Police will report minors driving to schools for potential disciplinary action through 'negative marks'.
- •Strict ban on overloading autorickshaws beyond six children and two-wheelers with multiple students.
- •Schools mandated to install CCTV, zebra crossings, and appoint traffic marshals for student safety.
- •Transport department launching an online portal to track fitness and background profiles of private school drivers.
In a major initiative to bolster Hyderabad student road safety, local authorities have implemented strict new guidelines for schools and parents. The Hyderabad police, in coordination with the GHMC, aim to reduce traffic congestion and ensure a secure environment for the city's over 12 lakh students across nearly 3,800 educational institutions. As part of this comprehensive action plan, officials are targeting unsafe practices, including the operation of vehicles by minors.
Stricter Measures for Hyderabad Student Road Safety
Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar has announced that law enforcement will report instances of minors operating vehicles directly to their schools. School authorities are being encouraged to address these behavioral issues by assigning 'negative marks' to students involved in such dangerous activities, thereby fostering regulatory discipline. Furthermore, transport regulations are being tightened; autorickshaws are now strictly prohibited from carrying more than six children, and parents have been advised against overloading two-wheelers.
To improve campus-adjacent safety, the GHMC has mandated that schools install high-definition CCTV cameras, paint clear zebra crossings, and display necessary traffic signage. Additionally, schools with expansive internal grounds are forbidden from locking their gates during peak hours, a practice that frequently forces parents to park on public roads, thereby worsening congestion. Commissioner R.V. Karnan emphasized that failure to adhere to these infrastructure and parking guidelines will lead to stringent official action.
Transport Commissioner Dr. K. Ilambarithi detailed plans to introduce a dedicated portal for tracking private student transport vehicles. School management must now maintain a comprehensive database that includes background checks, fitness certificates, and behavioral profiles of private drivers. This measure is intended to enhance the safety of all students, with a specific focus on the protection of girl students during their daily commute.
To ensure these safety norms are deeply integrated into the school culture, V.C. Sajjanar directed all institutions to conduct brief 5 to 10-minute safety sessions during daily morning prayers and official functions. Schools are also required to appoint dedicated traffic marshals or security personnel to manage student movement at gates. By shifting the responsibility to school administrations and fostering better cooperation between parents and law enforcement, the city hopes to significantly mitigate the risks associated with school-zone traffic.
