(a) the steps being taken by the Government to check accidents on highways and expressways;
(b) whether the Government is considering to develop any technology which can help in preventing accidents and provide early alerts and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any steps have been taken to equip the new cars with software app or technology that can provide alerts about sharp turns, patholes, speed breakers etc. on highways; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) This Ministry has notified various rules/ regulations under Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989 regarding speed limiting device/ speed governor, norms for crash test, Anti-Lock Braking Systems, Airbags, fire Alarm and protection system in buses etc. to check accidents. Further, some measures also have been taken by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are as under : -
(i) Each black spot location is being inspected by Road Safety Officers of Regional Offices, Project Director of Concerned PIU and Road Safety Expert of the Independent Engineers (IE)/ Authority’s Engineers (AE) /Safety Consultants and recommend the mitigation measures. Based on which approval is being granted by the Regional Officer.
(ii) NHAI has issued comprehensive guidelines on preparation of proposal, granting sanctions and execution of work for rectification of blackspots vide circular no. 1.1.31/2019 dated 19.12.2019. Under these guidelines, Regional Officers have been delegated financial power of upto Rs. 50 Cr for rectification of blackspots including land acquisition.
(iii) Road Safety Audits:
• Third-Party Audits are being carried out at design / construction / operation & maintenance stages of development of highways as per IRC guidelines and audit observations are being complied.
• NHAI conducted Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) safety ratings of 1288 km of National highways in the state of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. The study assess safety features of road based on different road users such as vehicle occupants, motorcyclists, bicyclist, and pedestrians. The action plan for implementation of their recommendations are under progress with respective Regional Offices.
• Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), through Indian Academy of Highway Engineers (IAHE), has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SaveLIFE foundation for implementation of “Zero Fatality Corridors (ZFC)” on national highways. Study on two stretches in UP and Maharashtra has been conducted & the action plan for implementation of their recommendation are under progress with respective Regional Offices.
Further, additional 14 stretches in 13 states have been identified recently in Dec 2021 and study on the same is under progress.
• NHAI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Institute for Road Traffic Education (IRTE) and Institute for Development and Communication, Chandigarh (IDC) to promote road safety and collaborate in the areas of traffic management through a programme titled “Capacity building of Road Safety Management through the Safe Systems Approach Programme”. The study is being implemented, examined & monitored under Regional Office-Chandigarh.
(iv) Foot over bridges (FoBs), Pedestrian underpasses (PUP) and Pedestrian Subways (PSW) are constructed to ensure reduction in accidents involving pedestrians. 194 FoBs have been completed, 95 FoBs are under construction and 209 FoBs are included in upcoming projects under approval.
(v) Financial power of up to Rs.25 Cr for construction of PUP/PSW and up to Rs. 1.25 crores for construction of FoBs is delegated to Regional Officers of NHAI.
(vi) Pedestrian Markings marked at median openings and junctions.
(vii) Footpaths/Walkways are constructed in Urban/habited areas. Providing Street lighting in inhabited section of NHs.
(viii) Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act,2019 has been enforced which has new provisions as (1A) of section 116, (1A) - Pertains to erect/removal of traffic signs by road authorities of Section 138 (1A)-pertains to power of State Government to make rules in the interest of road safety. etc., regarding Road Safety.
(ix) Traffic calming measures such as traffic warning signs, delineators, road studs, bar markings, humps at approach roads, etc. are taken at vulnerable sections of National Highways to reduce road accident fatalities
(x) Capacity building on safety measures through training of NHAI field offices /Concessionaires / Contractors / Consultants engaged in NHAI project works throughout India.
(xi) Incident Management Vehicles (Ambulances, Patrol Vehicles and Tow Cranes) are deployed on NH stretches.
(xii) Road Safety Week is observed every calendar year for spreading awareness about safer behaviour of road users on National Highways. However, last year Road Safety Month was observed from 18.01.2021 to 17.02.2021 to give further emphasis on this issue.
(xiii) During Road Safety Month 2021, the following major activities have been carried out for enhancement of Safety of Road users.
a. Awareness drive for Road Safety have been conducted through flex, banners. Workshop, Discussion.
b. Motivation and road side safety awareness programme conducted for the school /college students through Quiz completion, drawing competition, Essay writing and speech competition etc.
c. Campaign conducted at Toll plazas/public places/Gram Panchayat for awareness about use of helmet, seat belt, and disciplined road use and to give the first chance to pedestrians at zebra crossing user to give the first chance to pedestrians at zebra crossing etc.
d. Campaigning made for awakening the people at public place regarding Supreme Court direction to help the road accident victims to get to the nearby hospital in golden hour so that the life can be saved.
e. Overloading was checked and drivers were advised for safe use.
f. Training of Pedestrians in road crossing and preventing Wrong side Driving have been conducted.
g. Free Eye Check-up Camp and distribution of eye glasses are conducted for truck/bus drivers operating on NHs
(b) This Ministry has issued a notification G.S.R 1483(E) dated 07.12.2017 vide which Motor vehicles of category M1, manufactured on and after the 1st day of July, 2019, are to comply with the additional safety features like seat belt reminder, manual over-ride, speed alert system, vehicle reverse gear sensor etc. and its requirements as stipulated in Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 145 -2017.
(c) & (d) No such proposal to equip the new cars with software app or technology is under consideration with the Ministry. However, Ministry have signed a MoU with IIT Madras and MapmyIndia for enhancing navigation app of MapmyIndia, to provide road safety alerts to users about upcoming accident hazards while driving. By using this navigation app, users will get voice and visual alerts about upcoming accident -prone zones, speed breakers, sharp curves and potholes etc.
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