Question : INCIDENCE OF ROAD ACCIDENTS

(a) whether the Supreme Court has suggested the Government to adopt scientific measures like conducting research, improving roads, discarding risky vehicles and maintaining strict monitoring of drunken drivers for formulating a national policy to reduce the increasing number of fatal road accidents;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard; (

(c) whether the Delhi High Court has also given orders for furnishing details of casualties in road accidents in view of their increasing number;

(d) if so, the details thereof ;

(e) whether there is any proposal to increase the compensation to road accident victims; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI K.H. MUNIYAPPA)

(a)&(b) The Hon’ble Supreme Court has not given any directions for formulating a National Policy for using scientific method to reduce fatal road accidents in the country. However, this Department has taken several steps to improve road safety for the 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 National Highways Authority of India.

iii) Refresher training to Heavy Motor Vehicle drivers in the unorganized sector.

iv) Involvement of NGOs 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/NGOs under 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.

(c) No Sir,

(d) Does not arise.

(e) Yes Sir,

(f) The details can not be given at this stage.