City Traffic Police Murree issue new school transport SOPs

What happened

The City Traffic Police Murree have introduced new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for school transport. According to a police spokesman, the aim is to ensure the safe transportation of schoolchildren, prevent overloading and speeding, and improve vehicle safety [1][2].

The decisions were taken at a meeting on Tuesday chaired by Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Murree Syed Munir Ahmed Hashmi [1][2].

Under the SOPs, school vehicles must follow strict passenger limits based on students’ education levels [1]:

• Carry vans and pickups may carry a maximum of 12 primary-level children [1][2].
• They may carry 10 middle-school students [1][2].
• They may carry eight children above the middle-school level [1][2].

Vehicles will not be allowed to carry children beyond these limits, and legal action will be taken against transporters who exceed them [1][2].

The traffic police have adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward overloading and speeding [1][2]. Overcharging is also covered by this policy, according to ProPakistani [1].

The SOPs also prohibit two practices [1][2]:

• Carrying petrol in open containers in school vehicles.
• Smoking while driving.

Every school vehicle must have a fire extinguisher so that drivers can respond immediately to emergencies [1][2]. The SOPs also make regular inspections of school vans mandatory [2].

At the meeting, the police were told that around 40 school vehicles had been placed on the green list. Authorities will verify their fitness certificates, route permits and other required documents [1].

Teams from Traffic Police Murree and Kotli Sattian will inspect school transport two to three days a week to check vehicle safety and compliance with legal requirements [1][2].

Who is affected

School administrations and transporters have been directed to ensure full compliance with the issued SOPs [2]. The passenger limits apply to carry vans and pickups used for school transport [1][2]. The inspections will cover school transport in Murree and Kotli Sattian, as the teams from both areas will carry them out [1][2].