Lok Sabha Question No. 753 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-02
Subject: Accidents On National Highways
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Sangamlal Kadedin Gupta, Chandra Prakash Joshi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.753 ANSWERED ON 2 ND  DECEMBER, 2021

## ACCIDENTS ON NATIONAL HIGHWAYS

753.  SHRI SANGAM LAL GUPTA: SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## be pleased to state:

- (a) the major causes of accidents occurred on the National Highways (NHs) during the last three years along with the steps being taken by the Government to check such accidents;
- (b) the action taken by the Government to provide help to the victims of accidents on NHs in the country including Madhya Pradesh;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to constitute a committee to check road accidents and if so, the details thereof;
- awareness
- (d) whether the Government is implementing any programme about rules of road safety to prevent accidents; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof along with the role of the States and other Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) & (b) The  major  causes  of  accidents  on  the  National  Highways (NHs) are vehicle design and condition, road engineering, Over-speeding, Drunken driving/ consumption of alcohol & drug, Driving on wrong side, Jumping red light, Use of mobile phone, etc.

The Ministry has formulated a multi-pronged strategy to address the issue of road safety based on Education, Engineering (both of roads and vehicles), Enforcement and Emergency Care. Accordingly, various initiatives have been taken by the Ministry, as detailed below :-

## (i) Education:

- The  Ministry  implements  a  scheme  for  undertaking  publicity measures  and  awareness  campaigns  on  road  safety  to  create awareness among road users through the electronic media, print media, NGOs etc.
- Observance  of  National  Road  Safety  Month/Week  every  year  for spreading awareness and strengthening road safety.
- A Certification Course for Road Safety Auditors has been commenced in Indian Academy of Highway Engineers (IAHE).
- ·
- Education of general public on traffic rules and their applicability.

## (ii) Engineering (both of Roads and vehicles)

## Road engineering

- High  priority  to  identification  and  rectification  of  black  spots (accident prone spots) on national highways.
- Road  safety  has  been  made  an  integral  part  of  road  design  at planning stage.
- Ministry has delegated powers to Regional Officers of MORTH for technical  approval  to  the  detailed  estimates  for  rectification  of identified Road Accident black spots.
- Guidelines  for  pedestrian  facilities  on  National  Highways  for persons with disabilities have also been issued to all States / UTs.

## Vehicle engineering:

- Safety standards for automobiles have been improved.
- Ministry  has  notified  fitment  of  Speed  Limiting  devices  on  all transport vehicles.
- Scheme for setting up one model Inspection & Certification Centre in each State/UT with Central assistance for testing the fitness of vehicles through an automated system.

## (iii) Enforcement:

- The  recently  passed  motor  vehicles  (Amendment)  Act,  2019 provides  for  strict  enforcement  through  use  of  technology  and provides  for  strict  penalties  for  ensuring  strict  compliance  and enhancing deterrence for violation of traffic rules.
- Issue  of  Guidelines  for  protection  of  Good  Samaritans  and  draft rules as per MV (Amendment) Act, 2019 have been published.

## (iv) Emergency care:

- The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 provides for a scheme for  the  cashless treatment of victims of the accident during the golden hour.
- The National Highways Authority of India has made provisions for ambulances at all toll plazas on the completed corridor of National Highways.
- Out of above, 297 ambulances have been upgraded to Basic Life Support as per AIS-125 and upgradation for the remaining is under process.

(c) The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified 'Member of Parliaments' Road Safety Committee' in each district of the country to promote awareness amongst road users under the chairmanship of Hon'ble Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from the district. (d) & (e) The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has one Road Safety Advocacy Scheme namely 'Financial Assistance for administering Road Safety Advocacy and awards for the outstanding work done in the field of Road Safety' through which various NGOs and other organizations  conduct  road  safety  related  awareness  programmes across the country.

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