CIRCULAR NO.PD-12/2009, DATED:23.03.2009

Sub: TRAINING – Training of Drivers on safe driving – Continuation of Scheme of Safety Instructors –Guidelines for reviewing the work of Safety Instructor – Reg.

Ref: 1) VC&MD Cir No.PD-63/2001, dated:30.08.2001.

2) VC&MD Cir No.PD-65/2002, dated:05.09.2002.

3) VC&MD Cir No.PD-38/2004, dated:06.10.2004.

4) VC&MD Cir No.PD-47/2006, dated:18.10.2006.

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The Scheme of Safety Instructor has been reviewed at the Corporate Office keeping in view the recent spate of serious accidents in APSRTC, caused due to rash and negligent driving.

The accident rate was 0.10 in 2004-05, 0.11 in 2005-06, 0.12 in the years 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-2009(upto Feb’09). It is alarming to note that in APSRTC an average of 8 accidents are taking place everyday resulting in 3 deaths and injuries to 13 persons. APSRTC has paid compensation to the victims to the tune of Rs.36.05 crores in 2005-06, Rs.34.07 crores in 2006-07 and Rs.38.74 crores in 2007-08 which is almost equal to the average annual commercial revenue of the Corporation.

It is pertinent to note that the accidents continue unabated in spite of the post of Safety Instructor being in vogue. It is quite obvious that the work of Safety Instructor is not being reviewed effectively at the depot level and the Regional level. In some depots the SI is being deviated for miscellaneous works like renewal of FC of vehicles, route surveys etc.

There exists an urgent need to revamp and rejuvenate the Scheme of Safety Instructor so as to make it effective and result-oriented. In order to streamline the work of the SI and to facilitate effective review of the work of the Safety Instructor at the Depot level and the Regional level, the following instructions are issued for strict compliance:

1) The DM with the assistance of the Traffic-Incharge shall identify the accident-prone spots in their depot jurisdiction and arrange to display the photographs of accident prone spots at Traffic section, HSD oil bunk and also at the bus stations for the benefit of not only the drivers belonging to depot but also out-depot drivers operating on the depot routes.

2) The DM/AM(T)/AE(M) shall identify 25 drivers every month as per the criterion given below and hand over the list of drivers to the SDI by the 3^rd of every month

i) 12 drivers with bad driving habits/ accident prone,

ii) 10 drivers with low HSD KMPL,

iii) 3 drivers on whom public complaints are received

Note: The drivers involved in accidents during the month and taken on duty shall be included in the list of 12 drivers mentioned at item no. (i).

3) The Safety Driving Instructor shall follow the drivers, identified by the DM, for at least 4 hours in a day to observe their driving habits.

4) After completing observation of driving habits of the drivers, the Safety Driving Instructor shall counsel the drivers on the same day itself and obtain the signature of drivers in the register to be maintained by Safety Driving Instructor. However, the Safety Driving Instructor should not counsel the drivers in the presence of passengers. Proformae are given at annexure 1 & 2, which should be maintained by Safety Driving Instructors and produce the same when Inspecting Officials (Dy.CTM/Dy.CME/RM/ED) visit the Depot.

5) The DM along with the AE(M) and AM(T) shall review the work of the Safety Instructor which shall include the review of the performance of the drivers trained by the Safety Instructor in the previous month.

6) If there is no improvement in the driving habits of the drivers trained by the Safety Instructor, they shall be directed to the Dy.CTM/Dy.CME for counselling. Involvement in minor accidents, lack of improvement in HSD KMPL could be taken as indicators of failure of the driver in improving his driving habits.

7) The Dy.CTMs/DVMs of the Region shall conduct a monthly meeting for a comprehensive review of the work of the Safety Instructors. The Dy.CMEs shall also interact with the Safety Instructors during their depot inspections.

8) The Regional Manager shall conduct a meeting with Safety Driving Instructors of Region once in two months and review their performance in imparting training to the drivers, reduction or increase in the accidents, improvement in HSD KMPL and action taken on the drivers. The minutes of the meetings shall be sent to ED(E), ED(O) and ED of the Zone for review.

9) REGISTERS TO BE MAINTAINED BY SAFETY DRIVING INSTRUCTORS.

i) Safety Driving Instructor report – Annexure ‘A’

ii) Observation of driving habits of drivers by the Safety Instructor – Annexure ‘B’

10) REGISTERS TO BE MAINTAINED BY DEPOT SUPERVISORS.

i) Review of Performance of Safety Driving Instructor – Annexure ‘C’

ii) Accidents Register – Annexure ‘D’.

It is a well established fact that the driving habits of the drivers have manifold impact on crucial cost parameters like HSD KMPL, tyre life, spares etc. besides the accident rate, the compensation paid to victims etc. Road safety and fuel efficiency are matters of perennial concern in APSRTC and there is a constant need to monitor the driving habits of drivers in APSRTC. Hence, it is decided to continue the scheme of the Safety Instructors subject to modifications in the scheme as communicated from time to time.

All the RMs, Dy.CTMs, Dy.CMEs and DMs shall follow the above-mentioned instructions scrupulously. The instructions given vide Circular cited at reference regarding the selection, training, duties & responsibilities, allowances etc. of Safety Instructors stand good.

Encl: Annexure-A

Annexure-B

VICE-CHAIRMAN &

MANAGING DIRECTOR

All Regional Managers,

All Dy.CTMS, Dy.CMEs,

All DMs, AE(M)s, AM(T)s,

APSRTC.

Copy to: All EDs of HO / EDs of Zones for infn.

Copy to: All Safety Driving Instructors for infn. & n/a.