The next time one boards a sleeper bus, you may witness a safety briefing on the emergency entry/exit points and evacuation routes just like the cabin crew does on flights before take-off. This is among a slew of safety measures the MSRTC launched this past weekend in the wake of the tragic bus accident and resulting fire that killed 19 passengers in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, on Friday.

The bus had gone up in flames after it hit a motorcycle, said police. Most of the passengers were asleep. Quick thinking helped about 20 people escape the blaze after they smashed the emergency window and jumped out. This is the second such mishap in the past fortnight, including a similar bus crash in Rajasthan that claimed 21 lives on October 15. It has once again raised concerns over intercity sleeper buses turning into death traps.  Now, the safety campaign has been launched so that passengers become aware and alert, key to a safer journey. Pay attention to instructions and announcements.