(a) whether the Government has any proposal to implement special plans for commuter safety on National
Highways and Expressways;
(b) whether such commuter safety plans have already been formulated;
(
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) the time by which these plans are likely to be implemented; and
(e) the steps taken in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI T.R. BAALU)
(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 14 FOR ANSWER ON
22.11.2006 ASKED BY SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH REGARDING COMMUTER SAFETY ON NATIONAL HIGHWAYS.
(a) to (e) There is no proposal to implement any special plan for commuter safety on National
Highways and Expressways. The safety of road users is primarily the responsibility of the concerned
State Government. However, this Department has taken several steps to improve road safety for road users
which are as under:
i) Road safety is the integral part of road design at planning stage for National Highways/Expressways.
ii) Various steps to enhance road safety such as road furniture, road markings/road signs, introduction of Highway
Traffic Management System using Intelligent Transport System, enhancement of discipline among contractors during
construction, road safety audit on selected stretches, have been undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India.
iii) Refresher training to Heavy Motor Vehicle drivers in the unorganized sector.
iv) Involvement of Non Governmental Organisations for road safety activities by Department of Road
Transport and Highways and National Highways Authority of India.
v) Setting up of Model Driving Training School in the country.
vi) Publicity campaign on road safety awareness through audio-visual-print media.
vii) Institution of National Award for voluntary organizations/individual for outstanding work in the field of road safety.
viii) Tightening of safety standards of vehicles.
ix) Provision of cranes and ambulances to various State Governments/Non Governmental Organisations under
the National Highway Accident Relief Service Scheme. National Highways Authority of India also provides
ambulances at a distance of 50 Km. on each of its completed highways under its Operation & Maintenance contracts.
x) Widening and improvements of National Highways from 2 lanes to 4 lanes and 4 lanes to 6 lanes etc.