Preventing accidents

Preventing accidents

Context

The government had promised to address road safety issue but it has not been able to do so as the requisite amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act have not yet been passed

Apathy of the governments

Safety black spots on roads that were identified on the basis of fatal accidents between 2011 and 2014: The Union Road Transport Ministry stated in March this year that only 189 out of 789 such spots had been rectified, while funds had been sanctioned for another 256, and the rest were either under State jurisdiction or awaiting sanction

Measures suggested

• Road risk complaints
  • The apex court has directed that the performance of district committees should be reviewed periodically
  • This should ideally follow mandatory public hearings every month for citizens to record road risk complaints
• Forming the National Road Safety and Traffic Management Board

Forming the much-delayed National Road Safety and Traffic Management Board, with a provision for State governments to participate, has to be a top priority

• Taking help from technical experts in investigation
  • Without expert help, executive agencies such as the Police and Public Works Departments are unable to conduct a technical investigation into an accident
  • Only a scientific system can stop the routine criminalising of all accidents
• No monetary help to victims
  • For accident victims, there is also the heavy burden of out-of-pocket expenditure on medical treatment
  • The government had promised to address this issue through a cashless facility, but it has not been able to do so as the requisite amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act have not yet been passed 

Conclusion

Ultimately, road safety depends on enforcement of rules with zero tolerance to violations, and making officials accountable for safety. That can be ensured even today.