A total of 23 school buses were investigated for safety violations by 5:30 p.m. on Monday, the first school day of the new semester.

    In the operation carried out by Shenzhen traffic police, 23 of the total 706 school buses were found to be violating the law. Two buses were taken away for picking up students without school bus licenses, drivers were detained for further investigation and the incidents were reported to relevant education departments.

    The police focused on 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. which usually are the times when schools start and finish.

    Over 500 traffic policemen from 64 groups were dispatched on the streets around schools, in front of the school gates, on main roads and at checkpoints to check the safety conditions of school buses.

    According to the traffic police, school buses should be equipped with warning lights and warning boards outside and safety hammers, fire extinguishers and first-aid kits inside. As well, seat belts should meet the safety standards and there should be a grown-up to keep students company on the school buses apart from the driver.

    The police also advocated that schools give high priority to bus safety and parents should report to traffic police if they find any violations of safety regulations.

    (Yang Mei)