Coimbatore: A TNSTC bus operating from Coimbatore to Trichy was halted by passengers travelling in the bus who complained that the driver was repeatedly losing control of the bus since he was drunk.
Coimbatore: A TNSTC bus operating from Coimbatore to Trichy was halted by passengers travelling in the bus who complained that the driver was repeatedly losing control of the bus since he was drunk. The quick timely intervention by the passengers averted a major bus mishap near Ondipudur which could have resulted in many casualties.
From the Government Hospital bus stop till Ondipudur, the driver had almost crashed into many vehicles on the road. Around 8.30 pm, as the bus was speeding near the Ondipudur flyover, a lady passenger seated in the front row of the bus became alert to the driver being out of control and informed other co-passengers that he was drunk. After realising that the driver was indeed drunk, the passengers stopped the bus near the Ondipudur–Irugur pirivu and an argument broke out between them and the driver and conductor.
“Bus drivers who are supposed to be responsible for the lives inside the bus, are actually being the cause for killing many due to their alcohol addiction which is condemnable. We would have been dead by now if we had not stopped the bus. The Transport Corporation and RTOs should monitor the drivers whether they drink and drive during their night shifts. These incidents happen due to the negligence of authorities. At the same time the drivers who act like this should be dismissed which will further stop similar," opined an agitated passenger.
The Singanallur police who reached the spot took the driver to the police station. Upon inquiry, they identified the driver as Subramaniam from Dindigul who works under the Kangeyam Transport jurisdiction. Thereafter, the police informed the Transport Department officials and filed a case against the driver for drinking and driving.
There have been repeated complaints that Government and private bus drivers drink and drive buses during night hours. Passengers are of the firm opinion that it is due to negligence in monitoring the activities of bus drivers by the Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) and TNSTC officials that some drivers seem to flout rules knowingly, immaterial of the fact that hundreds of lives could be endangered.