The International Road Federation, (IRF) a Geneva based not-for-profit Organization promoting the cause of Safe Roads and Smart Mobility worldwide has shared its concern over the growing incidences of fatal road accidents in the country, particularly with regard to Amritsar and Ludhiana in Punjab which account for maximum road accident deaths in the country, in terms of severity of fatalities and injuries.
The International Road Federation (IRF) has urged the Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amrinder Singh asking him to join hands in reducing deaths during road accidents in the state of Punjab as despite small improvement in the year 2019, its Two cities Amritsar and Ludhiana in Punjab state account for one of the highest road deaths in the country . Punjab ranks 17th th in number of fatal road accidents among top 20 states, with 4,525 persons being killed in road accidents during the year 2019 in 6,348 road accidents . About 264 persons died in 553 road accidents in Ludhiana and 95 people died in 133 road accidents in the holy city of Amritsar, during the year 2019.
In Union Territory Chandigarh 104 people died in 305 road accidents during the year 2019.
According to latest data released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, among all the million-plus cities in India, roads were among the deadliest in Ludhiana and Amritsar.
“ India accounts for more than 12 per cent of the total fatal road accidents worldwide. As per the road accidents data, during 2019, about 1.51 lakh people lost their lives and 4.51 lakh injured in 4.50 lakh road accidents. India is a signatory to the UN Decade of Action and is committed to bring down the road accident fatalities by 50% by 2020. which is no where near ’’ said Mr K K Kapila, president , Emeritus, , International Road Federation.’’
“The heavy penalties in the Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill – which acts as the primary traffic law enforcement tool worldwide, is an important measure towards strengthening the legal framework for improving road safety in India and the state of Punjab The Punjab government needs to try to cut the road accident fatality through a new road safety policy that focuses on first response at the ‘golden hour’ (the first hour after the accident). Punjab government should announce a Road Safety policy in the state with quick rescue of injured and administration of first aid should be the principal focus of the policy.” Mr K K Kapila, President Emeritus, International Road Federation (IRF), .
“A new guideline to ensure that best practices in road designing are followed by those involved in road construction is recommended for implementation. The Government also should have uniform design of all roads so that the number of accidents due to faulty designs can be minimized The Punjab and central Government should also ensure zero black spot policy for reduction in the road accidents.” added Mr K K Kapila.
