( a) the number of persons killed in accidents occured on National Highways (NHs) during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise and NH-wise;
(b) whether the Government has conducted any survey on road accidents on NHs;
(c) if so, the details and outcome thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to minimise the number of road accidents on NHs and deaths caused by it?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)
(a) Total number of persons killed on National Highways including Expressways in the country during the last three calendar years and the current year i.e 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 are annexed.
(b) & (c) Ministry of Road Transport & Highways collects data on road accidents from all States/UTs in a format developed as per the Asia Pacific Road Accident Database (APRAD) project of United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific (UNESCAP). These data are analyzed and an annual publication titled “Road Accidents in India” is released every year by the Transport Research Wing of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The latest issue of the publication was released in May 2016. The report contains data on road accidents and related parameters, including factors causing road accidents, for all States/UTs. The annual publications are available on the website of this Ministry i.e. www.morth.nic.in
(d) The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has taken a number of steps to prevent road accidents as per details mentioned under:
i. The Government has approved a National Road Safety Policy. This Policy outlines various policy measures such as promoting awareness, encouraging safer road infrastructure including application of intelligent transport, enforcement of safety laws trauma care etc.
ii. The Government has constituted the National Road Safety Council as the apex body to take policy decisions in matters of road safety.
iii. The Ministry has requested all States/UTs for setting up of State Road Safety Council and District Road Safety Committees, and to hold their meetings regularly.
iv. The Ministry has formulated a multi-pronged strategy to address the issue of road safety based on 4 ‘E’s viz. Education, Engineering (both of roads and vehicles), Enforcement and Emergency Care. Based on this, a draft action plan has been shared with the states.
v. Road safety has been made an integral part of road design at planning stage.
vi. Road Safety Audit of selected stretches of National Highways has been taken up.
vii. High priority has been accorded to identification and rectification of black spots (accident prone spots) on national highways. A total of 789 such black spots have been identified for improvement.
viii. The threshold for four laning of national highway has been reduced from 15,000 Passenger Car Units (PCUs) to 10,000 PCUs. About 52,000 Km of stretches of State Highways has been identified for conversion to national highways.
ix. Setting up of model driving training institutes in States and refresher training to drivers of Heavy Motor Vehicle in the unorganized sector.
x. Advocacy/Publicity campaign on road safety through the electronic and print media.
xi. Tightening of safety standards for vehicles like Seat Belts, Power-steering, anti-lock braking system etc.
xii. Providing cranes and ambulances to various State Governments under the National Highway Accident Relief Service Scheme for development on National Highways. National Highways Authority of India also provides ambulances at a distance of 50 Km. on each of its completed stretches of National Highways under its Operation & Maintenance contracts.