Editorial | Unsafe Rides Risk Lives

Every morning, thousands of children in Kashmir step into school buses and vans. For many, that short ride is the most dangerous part of their day. Overloading has become routine. Vehicles meant for ten children often carry fifteen or more. Some hang near doors. Some sit cramped without space to move. This is not a minor violation. It is a direct threat to young lives.

Recent incidents across India show a clear pattern. When a vehicle is overloaded, the driver loses control faster. Braking distance increases. In case of a sudden stop, children get thrown forward. In a collision, injuries multiply. Overloading turns a manageable accident into a tragedy. Yet the practice continues in plain sight.

Why does this happen. The answer is simple. Cost cutting and weak enforcement. Operators want to earn more per trip. Fewer vehicles mean lower fuel and staff costs. Schools often turn a blind eye as long as transport runs on time. Parents notice the crowding but accept it as normal. This silent acceptance fuels the problem.

Schools carry the first and strongest responsibility. They approve transport systems. They issue contracts. They set the tone. A school that prioritizes safety will never allow an overloaded vehicle at its gate. Clear rules must be enforced. Each vehicle should display its seating capacity. Attendance logs for transport should be maintained. Random checks must be done every week. Schools should appoint a transport supervisor who inspects vehicles daily. CCTV in buses can help monitor crowding and driver behavior. If a contractor violates norms, the contract should be cancelled without delay.

Training is equally important. Drivers and helpers must be trained in child safety. They should know how to manage boarding and dropping. They should ensure no child stands near the door. Speed limits must be strict. Schools should conduct regular safety drills so children know how to respond in an emergency. A safe system does not depend on luck. It depends on discipline.

Traffic police have a critical role. Laws already exist. What is missing is consistent enforcement. Regular road checks near schools can deter violations. Officers should stop and inspect school vehicles during peak hours. Overloaded vehicles must face heavy fines. Repeat offenders should lose permits. Public reporting can also help. A simple system where citizens can report violations with photos can increase accountability.

Technology can strengthen enforcement. Use of GPS tracking can monitor routes and speed. Digital records can track repeat violations. Joint drives between traffic police and school authorities can send a strong message. When enforcement becomes visible and predictable, behavior changes quickly.

Parents are not powerless. They are the most important stakeholders. Every parent has the right to ask how their child travels. If a van is overcrowded, they should refuse to send their child in it. Collective action works best. A group of parents can demand better arrangements from schools. They can insist on separate vehicles if numbers exceed capacity. Safety should not be negotiated for convenience.

Parents should also educate children. Teach them not to stand near doors. Teach them to speak up if they feel unsafe. A child who understands risk can act faster in a critical moment. Communication between parents, schools, and drivers should be open and active.

The government must support these efforts with clear policy and monitoring. Regular audits of school transport should be mandatory. Data on compliance should be public. Incentives can be given to schools that maintain high safety standards. At the same time, strict penalties must be applied to those who ignore rules. Consistency is key. One strict action sends a message. Continued action builds a culture.

The issue is not complex. The rules are known. The risks are clear. What is needed is will. Every overloaded vehicle on the road is a visible failure of the system. Every safe ride is proof that solutions work.

Children trust adults to keep them safe. That trust must not be broken on a daily commute. Schools must enforce discipline. Traffic police must act without compromise. Parents must demand better. When all three act together, unsafe rides will end.

A school journey should be routine and safe. Not a daily gamble. The choice is simple. Follow the rules or face the consequences. Lives depend on it.