International Road Federation (IRF) Geneva based global road safety body working for better and safer roads worldwide has urged the Indian government to treat Road Traffic Accidents on similar lines as prevention and treatment of Corona Virus pandemic. It is worth noting that the Road Traffic Accidents in India contribute 12% of the Global Accidents, which is no less than a PANDEMIC and which could be effectively checked and handled with Government’s support.
“International Road Federation (IRF) welcomes Indian government’s quick moves to prevent spread of deadly coronavirus in the country by taking various measures, we urge the government to treat road accidents in the country on similar lines to prevent fatal accidents as India accounts for more than 12 per cent of road accident deaths “said Mr K.K.Kapila, President, Emeritus, International Road Federation and Past President and Chairman of CEAI’s Infrastructure Committee.
“During the year 2018 about 1.51 lakh people died in 4.67 lakh road accidents in India with an average of 417 fatalities per day. But with few hundred cases of coronavirus being reported in the country, the entire central and state governments have woken up and taken preventable measures on war footing. IRF urges government to take similar steps to prevent fatal road accidents “said Mr Kapila.
“Most of the road accident deaths and injuries in the country are predictable and preventable by simple road safety solutions including wearing of helmets by two wheeler drivers, promoting safer behaviour, proper marking of roads, reclaiming of sidewalks from encroachers, strict adherence to safety norms, and regular road safety audits to identify black spots and their addressal. These can work wonders for India“ said Mr Kapila.
“As per the data of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), about 72% vehicles are Two wheelers in the country and 24% as Four Wheelers. About 35% of total road traffic deaths in the country are contributed by Two Wheelers, 18 % by Four Wheelers, 11 % by Trucks and other heavy duty commercial vehicles and 10 % by vulnerable pedestrians. Some of the low hanging interventions are consistently educating and enforcing wearing of helmet for Two wheelers, retrofitting existing two wheelers with ABS under a National Programme, Mandatory Training of Heavy Motor Vehicle Drivers on First Aid Trauma Care, etc“ said Mr Kapila.
“Safety standards in vehicles including child restraint system; Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) for passenger vehicles. Besides, Bus and Truck Code for commercial vehicles and standards for Intelligent Transport System (ITS) in general, can play a crucial role in the entire transport system to enhance safety and awareness” said Mr Kapila.
