March 13, 2002

‘25’

LOK SABHA

    As per information received from State Governments, the number of persons killed and injured in road accidents during the last two years is given below:

P= Provisional

    As per assessment of the Ministry, bad roads and mechanical faults in vehicles were responsible in the year 1998 for around 1.1% and 3% respectively of the total number of road accidents in the country.

    Some of the major suggestions given by Dr.P.S. Pasricha Committee to reduce the number of these accidents and deaths are given below:

1. Standardization of traffic destination boards, traffic pattern and road layouts, etc.
2. Modifications/changes in Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
3. Making traffic education an integral part of the school curriculum.
4. Encouragement of NGOs and associating them with road safety process.
5. Constitution of Road Safety Cell in every district/range under the charge of the district.
6. To improve the Driving License System.
7. To set up a Trauma Care Centre at every 50 km. of National Highways.
8. Setting up an ‘All India Road Safety Research Centre.’
9. Enhancement of penalty for traffic offence.
10. Removing liquor shops from the National Highways.
11. Establishing Traffic Aid Posts at every 50 km. along the National Highways and every 100 km. along the State Highways.
12. Removing Encroachment on Roads.
13. Fitting reflectors on rural vehicles.
14. Providing Highway Amenities, etc.

    This information was given in the Lok Sabha today in a written reply by the Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways (Independent charge) Major General (Retd.) B.C.Khanduri, AVSM.