Lok Sabha Question No. 1596 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-15
Subject: Road Safety in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: DNV Senthilkumar. S.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1596 ANSWERED ON 15 TH  DECEMBER, 2022

## ROAD SAFETY IN TAMIL NADU

1596. DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR S.:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  number  of  pedestrians  killed  in  road  accidents  has increased in the State of Tamil Nadu during each of last three years and the current year, if so, the details thereof and  the corrective steps taken in this regard;
- (b) whether it is also a fact that the number of accidents on the National Highways (NHs) and Expressways have increased in the State in the last two years and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has looked into the factors responsible for increase in road accidents in the State and also taken preventive steps in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether any of the suggestions made by Road Safety Forum which are being implemented in other States would also be implemented in the State of Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the other steps proposed to be taken to enhance road safety in the State?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) to (e)    As per the data available with Ministry, the total number of accidents that occurred on National Highways (including expressways) and  total  number  of pedestrians  killed  in  accidents  on  all roads in Tamil Nadu State during the last four calendar years is given in the table below:

|   Year |   Total Number of accidents on National Highways |   Total Number of pedestrians killed on all roads |
|--------|--------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|
|   2018 |                                            19583 |                                               768 |

|   2019 |   17633 |   1044 |
|--------|---------|--------|
|   2020 |   15269 |   1540 |
|   2021 |   16869 |   3647 |

As per yearly analysis of road accident data, based on the FIR data received  from  various  States/UTs,  road  accident  deaths  occur  due  to multiple  causes  such  as over  speeding,  use  of  mobile  phone,  drunken driving/consumption  of  alcohol  and  drug,  driving  on  wrong  side/  lane indiscipline, jumping red light, non-use of safety devices such as helmets and  seat  belts,  vehicular  condition,  weather  condition,  road  condition, fault of driver / cyclist/ pedestrian etc.

Further,  to  enhance  road  safety,  Ministry  has  formulated  a  multipronged 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:-

## (1)        Education:

i.        To  create  effective  public  awareness  about  road  safety, Ministry undertakes various publicity measures and awareness campaigns  through  social  media,  electronic  media  and  print media. Further, Ministry implements  a scheme  to  provide financial assistance to various agencies for administering Road Safety Advocacy.

ii.    Observance of National Road Safety Month/Week every year for spreading awareness and strengthening road safety.

iii.      A  Certification  Course  for  Road  Safety Auditors  has  been commenced in Indian Academy of Highway Engineers (IAHE) and officers  of  the  Ministry/  National  Highways  Authority  of  India (NHAI) are also being trained.

iv.    To impart driving training, Ministry has been implementing a scheme for setting up of Institute of Driving Training & Research (IDTRs), Regional Driving Training Centres (RDTCs) and Driving Training Centres (DTCs) at state/district level across the Country.

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

## 2.1.      Road engineering:

i.      Road safety has been made an integral part of road design at planning stage. Road Safety Audit of all highway projects has been  made  mandatory  at  all  stages  i.e.  design,  construction, operation and maintenance.

- ii.     High priority to identification and rectification of black spots (accident prone spots) on National Highways.

iii.    Guidelines for pedestrian facilities on National Highways for persons  with  disabilities  have  also  been  issued  to  all  States  / UTs.

- iv.    The electronic Detailed Accident Report (e-DAR) Project has been initiated to establish to a central repository for reporting, management  and  analysis  of  road  accidents  data  across  the Country.
- v. This  Ministry  and  IRC  has  issued  various  codes  and guidelines,  time  to  time,  to  implement  various  road  safety measures so as to minimize accidents on National Highways.

## 2.2       Vehicle engineering:

- i.      The Ministry has notified regarding mandatory provision of an airbag for the passenger seated on the front seat of a vehicle, next to the driver.
- ii.      This  Ministry,  vide  notification  dated  15th February,  2022 has  prescribed  norms  related  to  safety  measures  for  children below four years of age, riding or being carried on a motor cycle. Further, it specifies use of a safety harness, crash helmet and restricts speed to 40kmph.

iii.     Ministry  has  notified  the  mandatory  fitment  of  following listed safety technologies from 01st July 2019.

For M1 category vehicles:

a. Seat Belt Reminder (SBR) for driver and co-driver.

b. Manual Override for central locking system c. Over speed warning system.

For all M and N category vehicles:

a. Reverse Parking Alert System iv.     Anti-Lock  Braking  System  (ABS)  for  certain  classes  of  L [Motor  vehicle  with  less  than  four  wheels  and  includes  a Quadricycle], M [Motor vehicles with at least four wheels used for carrying  passengers]  and  N  [Motor  vehicles  with  at  least  four wheels used for carrying goods which may also carry persons in addition to goods,  subject  to  conditions  stipulated  in BIS standards] categories.

- v. This Ministry has  mandated  approval  of  vehicles  for protection  of  occupants  in  the  event  of  an  Offset  Frontal Collision, for requirements for behavior of steering mechanism of the vehicle in a Head-on collision, Protection of Occupants in the event of Lateral Collision and for approval of vehicles with regard to protection of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users in the event of a collision with a motor vehicle.
- vi.     The  Ministry  has  mandated  speed  limiting  function/speed limiting device in all transport vehicles, except for two wheelers, three  wheelers,  quadricycles,  fire  tenders,  ambulances  and police vehicles.
- vii.    This  Ministry  has  mandated  compliance  of  the  fully  built buses  (with  a  seating  capacity  of  22  passengers  or  above, excluding driver), manufactured on and after 1st April 2019, with the  requirements  of  Fire  Detection,  Alarm  and  Suppression system. Further, compliance of type III buses of category M3 and school buses with fire alarm and protection system in occupant compartment has also been mandated, on and after 26th January 2023.

viii.   The  Ministry  has  prescribed  the  format  in  which  vehicle manufacturers  issue the Road  Worthiness  Certification for registering motor vehicles.

- ix.   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.
- x.     Ministry vide Notifications dated 23 rd  September, 2021 and 31 st  October, 2022 published the rules for recognition, regulation and control of Automated Testing Stations.
- xi.   Notification vide GSR 272(E) dated 05 th  April. 2022, provides for  mandatory  fitness  of  vehicles  only  through  an  Automated Testing Stations.  It mandates the fitness check of Heavy Goods Vehicles/Heavy Passenger Motor Vehicles only through automated  testing  stations  with  effect  from  01st  April  2023 onwards,  and  for  Medium  Goods  Vehicles/Medium  Passenger Motor Vehicles and Light Motor vehicles (Transport) with effect from 01st June 2024 onwards.

xii.  Ministry has formulated the Vehicle Scrapping Policy based on  incentives/dis-incentives  and  for  creating  an  ecosystem  to phase out older, unfit polluting vehicles

## (3)        Enforcement:

i.        The  Motor  Vehicles  (Amendment)  Act,  2019  as  stands implemented provides for strict penalties for ensuring compliance and enhancing deterrence for violation of traffic rules and strict enforcement through use of technology.

ii.     Ministry vide notification GSR 594(E) dated 29 th  September, 2020 has published rules regarding protection of Good Samaritans.

iii.      Ministry  has  issued  notification  G.S.R.  575(E)  dated  11th August, 2021 for Electronic Monitoring and Enforcement of Road Safety. The rules specify the detailed provisions for placement of electronic  enforcement  devices  (speed  camera,  closed-circuit television camera, speed gun, body wearable camera, dashboard camera, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), weigh in machine (WIM) and any such other technology specified by the State Government).

## (4)        Emergency care:

i.      Ministry has implemented a Scheme for grant of Award to the  Good  Samaritan  who  has  saved  life  of  a  victim  of  a  fatal accident involving a motor vehicle by administering immediate assistance  and  rushing  to  Hospital/Trauma  Care  Centre  within the Golden Hour of the accident to provide medical treatment.

ii.      Ministry  vide  notification  dated  25 th  February,  2022  has enhanced  compensation  of  victims  of  Hit  and  Run  motor accidents (from Rs. 12,500 to Rs. 50,000 for grievous hurt and from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 2,00,000 for death).

iii. The  National Highways  Authority  of  India  has  made provisions  for  ambulances with  paramedical  staff/Emergency Medical Technician/Nurse at toll plazas on the completed corridor of National Highways.

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