International Road Federation (IRF) , a Geneva based global body working for better and safer roads worldwide has stressed on strict enforcement of Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) and Supreme court order banning vehicles from carrying rods, pipes or any protruding material beyond the body frame.
“Despite blanket ban on carrying of protruding and dangerous materials beyond the body frame various vehicles including trucks, tractors and animal pulled carts are openly flouting rules on both National as well as State highways under the nose of concerned authorities’ Said Mr K K Kapila, President Emeritus, International Road Federation (IRF)
“The precious lives of car occupants who were killed in fatal road accident on Shadipur Flyover yesterday in Delhi could have been saved if the ban on vehicles carrying bars , rods, columns and pipes beyond the body frame had been strictly enforced as the parked tractor the victims vehicles crashed into was illegally carrying protruding material beyond the body frame. ” said Mr Kapila.
“India has a dubious reputation of having the highest number of road accidents in the world. The nation accounts for about 11 Per cent of road crash fatalities worldwide. Thousands of motorists die every year in accidents caused by trucks and other vehicles parked recklessly on highways, many with iron rods protruding from their body frames.” Said Mr Kapila.
Ministry of road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in 2018 made it mandatory for all goods carrying vehicles especially trucks to affix reflective tapes for providing them better night time visibility and as safeguard against road accidents. “said Mr Kapila
“IRF also urges the government to make reflective tapes mandatory for over laden trolleys attached to Tractors, mostly overladen with construction and agriculture produce including sugar cane and fodder , which is a common sight in most parts of India. It is estimated that around 65% of farm produce arriving in primary markets is accounted for by Tractor Trolleys. Tractors are a highly vulnerable mode of transport and cause of major road accident across the country” said Mr Kapila.
“ Strict enforcement of this law by both central and state authorities will make sure that such materials carried in a truck or trailer remains within the length of the vehicle or trailer. An awareness campaign also needs to be run to educate truckers and consignees.” He added.
