No system to regulate speed

COIMBATORE: With yet another accident involving over-speeding omni buses, the focus has once again shifted to regulating these vehicles. K N Uthayanan, Deputy Transport Commissioner, Coimbatore Circle, says unfortunately there is no mechanism to regulate speeds in omni buses, unlike in the case of school buses or State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) buses.A few years ago, the government had installed speed governors in SETC buses, which effectively prevented drivers from exceeding a speed of 60 km per hour. He said there was no scope for putting up speed breakers on national highways, as they are naturally designed for high speed travel during the night. “Drivers tend to drive quickly on a highway to cover up the time they might have lost,” he said. “It is only in schools, temples or junctions where there is a lot of people movement that speed breakers can be placed. There is no scope for doing the same on national highways that most omni buses use,” Uthayanun added.On allegations that the ill-fated bus was operated without a valid permit, he said the Traffic Investigation Department will submit a report after conducting preliminary investigations on the basis of which action would be initiated.