KSRTC to install Dash cams in all its sleeper buses to monitor driver behaviour, driving patterns | Bengaluru News

BENGALURU: Over the past few months, back-to-back incidents of fire mishaps involving sleeper coaches and air-conditioned buses, along with the death of several passengers on Karnataka and National Highways, have brought the safety of long-distance overnight travel under intense public scrutiny. Amid growing calls for a comprehensive audit of passenger safety in such buses, the State-owned Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) on Wednesday announced that it will soon install dash cams and saloon cameras in all its sleeping buses to monitor driver behaviour and driving patterns besides reaffirming its commitment to ensuring passenger safety, particularly across its fleet of sleeper coach and air-conditioned services besides announcing installation of dash cams in all its sleeper buses. Reiterating that passenger safety remains a top priority, KSRTC has published detailed safety protocols and checklists for the benefit of commuters travelling in its Pallakki AC and Non-AC Sleeper, Corona AC and Non-AC Sleeper, Airavata Club Class seater, and Ambaari Utsav and Ambaari Dream Class buses. These guidelines are intended to familiarise passengers with onboard safety features and emergency response mechanisms available during travel.According to an official release issued by KSRTC, all modern sleeper buses in its fleet, including those under the Pallakki and Ambaari series, are equipped with Fire Detection and Suppression Systems (FDSS). These systems are designed to identify early signs of fire and suppress flames before they spread and engulf the entire bus. In addition to containing fire hazards, the FDSS also alerts the onboard crew and, in several cases, automatically initiates suppression measures within the engine compartment or other identified high-risk zones.Apart from fire safety mechanisms, KSRTC has integrated multiple additional safety features aimed at protecting passengers during emergencies. These include first-aid kits, clearly marked emergency exits, dashcams and saloon cameras, emergency hammers in premium category buses, fire extinguishers, and panic buttons. The official release also highlights the placement of safety equipment and emergency exit doors in all premium buses, supported by well-defined diagrams to help passengers quickly identify escape routes in case of an emergency.“The dash cams and saloon cameras installed in Ambaari Utsav buses help monitor driver behaviour, driving patterns, and safety-related issues onboard the buses,” the KSRTC release stated. It further added that the Corporation plans to expand this feature across its entire sleeper bus fleet. “Very soon, all sleeper buses will be fitted with dash cams and saloon cameras to enhance passenger safety,” the release said.KSRTC officials have also appealed to passengers to familiarise themselves with emergency equipment and make effective use of safety tools provided onboard. In particular, passengers have been advised to use emergency hammers and strike the corners of window glass, which are designed for easier breakage, to facilitate quick evacuation during critical situations.