Lok Sabha Question No. 892 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-02
Subject: Effects of New Traffic Rules
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Nihal Chand Chauhan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 892 ANSWERED ON 2 ND  DECEMBER, 2021

## EFFECTS OF NEW TRAFFIC RULES

892.  SHRI NIHAL CHAND:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## be pleased to state:

- (a)      whether  the  amount  of  fine  for  traffic  rule  violations  has  been increased many folds by the Government to check the increasing number of road accidents and if so, the extent to which number of accidents and collection of fines have decreased after implementation of new rules;
- (b)      whether any other plan is being contemplated by the Government for preventing/reducing  the  number  of  road  accidents  and  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (c)      the steps being taken by the Government to create awareness among people about traffic rules?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)        The  number  of  road  accidents  has  decreased  from  4,49,002 accidents in the calendar year 2019 to 3,66,138 accidents in the calendar year 2020. The number of challans has increased after the implementation of  the  Motor  Vehicles  (Amendment) Act, 2019. During the period of 23 months before the implementation of The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, the number of traffic challans was 1,96,58,897 and after its implementation,  the  traffic  challans  are  7,67,81,726  during  the  same period of 23 months. Thus, there is an increase of 291% in the number of traffic challans.

(b)     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. The National Road Safety Month/Week is observed every year for  spreading  awareness and strengthening road safety. A Certification Course for Road Safety Auditors has commenced in the Indian Academy of Highway Engineers (IAHE).

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

Road engineering:  Road engineering is on high priority for identification  and  rectification  of  black  spots  (accident  prone spots) on national highways. Road safety has been made an integral part of road design at the 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. This Ministry has issued notification G.S.R 1483(E) dated 07.12.2017, vide which Motor vehicles of category M1, manufactured on and after the 1st day of July, 2019, are to comply  with additional  safety  features  like  seat  belt  reminder, manual over-ride, speed alert system, vehicle reverse gear sensor etc.  and  its  requirements  as  stipulated  in  Automotive  Industry Standard(AIS) 145 - 2017, as amended from time to time. Further, this Ministry has issued notification S.O. 1139 (E) dated 28.04.2015 and S.O. 2412 (E) dated 03.09.2015, wherein the following crash standards have been notified: -

- (i).      Automotive  Industry  Standard  098-2008,  as  amended from time to time, for Protection of occupants in the event of an  Offset  Frontal  Collision  shall  be  mandatory  for  the  new models  from  1st  October,  2017  and  for  all  models  from  1st October, 2019
- (ii).     Automotive  Industry  Standard  099  -2008,  as  amended from time to time, for Side door impact for all passenger cars, Protection of Occupants in the event of Lateral Collision shall

be mandatory for the new models from 1st October, 2018 and for all models with effect from 1st October, 2019. The  Ministry  is  implementing  the  scheme  for  setting  up  of  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  the  use  of technology,  and  stipulates  strict  penalties  for  ensuring  strict compliance and enhancing deterrence for violation of traffic rules. Rules and Guidelines for protection of Good Samaritans have been published, as per the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019. (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 provision for ambulances at all toll plazas on the completed  corridor  of  National  Highways.  297  ambulances  have been upgraded to incorporate Basic Life Support, as per AIS-125. (c) The Ministry of Road Transport & 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. 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.  The Ministry also organizes National Road Safety Month/Week every year for spreading awareness and strengthening road safety.

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