Rajya Sabha
Some of the important steps taken by the Government besides highway design to check the road accidents are as under:
i) Various steps to enhance road safety such as road furniture, road markings/road signs, introduction of Highway Traffic Management System using Intelligent Transport System, enhancement of discipline among contractors during construction, road safety audit on selected stretches, have been undertaken by National Highways Authority of India.
ii) Refresher training to Heavy Motor Vehicle drivers in the unorganized sector.
iii) Involvement of NGOs for road safety activities by Department of Road Transport and Highways and National Highways Authority of India.
iv) Setting up of Driving Training School in the country.
v) Publicity campaign on road safety awareness through audio-visual-print media.
vi) Institution of National Award for voluntary organizations/individual for outstanding work in the field of road safety.
vii) Tightening of safety standards of vehicles.
viii) Provision of cranes and ambulances to various State Governments/NGOs under National Highway Accident Relief Service Scheme. National Highways Authority of India also provides ambulances at a distance of 50 Km. on each of its completed highways under its Operation & Maintenance contracts.
ix) Widening and improvements of National Highways from 2 lanes to 4 lanes and 4 lanes to 6 lanes etc.
A study was undertaken for ‘Establishment of a system for identification of black spots/accident prone areas’ on National Highways in the year 1996.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Shri K.H. Muniyappa in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
****
VBA/BS
(Release ID :19434)