To reduce increasing fatal accidents and avoid massive traffic jams caused by heavy and medium goods vehicles entering the Capital after the lifting of the ‘no entry’ restriction at the border, the Delhi Traffic Police has drawn an extensive plan to tame the vehicles as well as the drivers.
“ About 45,000 medium and heavy goods vehicle entering the capital are not only causing congestion but also endangering the life and safety of other road users. During the year 2013 about 964 fatal accidents ahappened at night as compared to 852 in the day time. Till August 2014 577 people have died in fatal nigh accidents as compared to 537 at day time. Most of these accidents take place between 9.00 P.M. till 8 A.M. “said Mr Anil Shukla, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) while speaking at the seminar on “Road Safety During Dark Hours” organised jointly by the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH0 and International Road Federation (IRF) here today.
“ Some of the measures Delhi Traffic Police has planned include extending the restriction timings for heavy and medium vehicles entering the Capital by half-an-hour on either side at all border. These vehicles can now enter the city only after 10 pm instead of 9.30 pm and would not be allowed to ply in the Capital after 7 am. Extending the duty of Traffic police till 4.00 A.M. from earlier of 9.00 P.M,” said Mr Shukla.
“Introduction of new Interceptors with night vision facilities for enforcement, Augmentation of towing/lifting/hauling equipments, Introduction of traffic signals, blinkers and auditory signals, Introduction of gantry mounted speed check (Day & Night) cameras at vulnerable locations, Installation of variable message sign boards , and Integration & augmentation of Traffic Control Centre” added Mr Shukla .
“The Delhi Traffic Police has asked the neighbouring States to not allow the pile of goods vehicle on their side. In a meeting of the coordination committee, the Delhi Traffic Police raised the issued and asked their counterparts in UP and Haryana to restrict the pile-up of vehicles in their areas.” Said Mr Shukla.
Earlier MoRTH secretary Mr Vijay Chibber speaking on the occasion said “ that Union government is planning to establish The National Road Safety and Traffic Management Board by end of this year. The Board will help in the development and regulation of road safety, traffic management system and safety standards in highway design and construction.”
“Most of the accidents at dark hours including twilight and morning fog are attributed to lack of lights, driving or riding under influence of alcohol, higher driving speeds due to empty roads, poor road engineering , construction site non safety measures, impaired night vision etc. said Mr K.K. Kapila. Chairman, IRF .
“Some of the subjects that were discussed during the seminar will included MoRTH measures to promote road safety at dark, Hazards of night driving and hazards faced by night drivers, Vehicle standards for night driving, Night time enforcement use of reflective tapes to bring in conspicuity and creating road safety environment at dark”said Mr Kapila.
Some of the speakers at the seminar included Mr. Sanjay Bandopadhyaya, JS, MoRT&H, Prof. P.K. Sikdar, Former Director, CRRI, Smt. Debashree Mukherjee, CMD-DTC and Mr. Atul Shukla, 3M.
