Bus drivers get a moody holiday

According to new provincial regulation to ensure public safety, bus drivers in Henan province who are in a bad mood can enjoy special leave, says an article in Xinhua Daily Telegraph. Excerpts:

To ensure public safety, the provincial government has granted a "sentimental vacation" for drivers in a bad mood as it says they will not be concentrating on their driving.

People tend to blame bus accidents on mechanical failure or improper handling; few point the finger at the mood of the driver being the cause.

No matter what the job, a worker's performance can be affected by a bad mood arising as a result of a family quarrel, for instance. Such moods can be especially problematic in the case of bus drivers, whose performance can put other people's lives at risk.

A bad mood can seriously affect a driver's concentration, and if the driver is angry he may take unnecessary risks or break the rules.

That's why the "mood vacation" introduced by the Henan government is a positive and praiseworthy step.

In addition, the measure highlights greater attention and respect to people's lives and property during the policy making process for work safety. The new regulation will definitely serve to safeguard people's lives. Henan's initiative should be an example for the rest of the country.

(China Daily 07/10/2012 page9)