Question : Accidents on Black Spots on NHs

(a) the number/percentage of black spots identified by the Government/NHAI on National Highways across the country as on date;
(b) whether it is a fact that a majority of the accidents on the National Highways (NHs) occur on these ‘black spots’ and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the total number of accidents which occurred on the ‘black spots’ areas on NHs along with the number of resultant deaths during the last three years in the country, State/UT-wise;
(d) whether the Government has taken any measures to rectify these ‘black spots’ and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
(e) the funds sanctioned/released and spent by NHAI for the said purpose during the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise; and
(f) whether the Government had proposed to set up a Road Safety Authority (RSA) to identify the reasons for road fatalities on NHs and if so, the present status thereof along with the extent to which it has succeeded in controlling road accidents?

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) to (c) As per the information available with the Ministry, the total number of black spots identified on National Highways based on the data during the period from year 2016 to 2018 is 5803. The information on number of black spots and total number of road accidents and fatalities on black spots on National Highways (state-wise) is given at Annexure-I.

(d) The Ministry has formulated a multi-pronged strategy to address the issue of road safety based on Education, Engineering (both of roads and vehicles), Enforcement and Emergency Care. Accordingly, various initiatives have been taken by the Ministry as detailed below :-

i. Education:
a. The Ministry implements a scheme for undertaking publicity measures and awareness campaigns on road safety to create awareness among road users through the electronic media, print media, NGOs etc.
b. Observance of National Road Safety Month/Week every year for spreading awareness and strengthening road safety.
c. A Certification Course for Road Safety Auditors has been commenced in Indian Academy of Highway Engineers (IAHE).
d. Education of general public on traffic rules and their applicability.
ii. Engineering (both of Roads and vehicles)
• Road engineering:
a. High priority to identification and rectification of black spots (accident prone spots) on national highways.
b. Road safety has been made an integral part of road design at planning stage.
c. Ministry has delegated powers to Regional Officers of MORTH for technical approval to the detailed estimates for rectification of identified Road Accident black spots.
d. Guidelines for pedestrian facilities on National Highways for persons with disabilities have also been issued to all States / UTs.
• Vehicle engineering:
a. Safety standards for automobiles have been improved in respect of Airbags, Anti-Breaking System (ABS), Tyres, Crash test, Whole Vehicle Safety Conformity of Production (WVSCoP).
b. Ministry has notified fitment of Speed Limiting devices on all transport vehicles.
c. Scheme for setting up one model Inspection & Certification Centre in each State/UT with Central assistance for testing the fitness of vehicles through an automated system.
iii. Enforcement
a. The recently passed motor vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 provides for strict enforcement through use of technology and further provides for strict penalties for ensuring strict compliance and enhancing deterrence for violation of traffic rules.
b. Issue of Guidelines for protection of Good Samaritans and draft rules as per MV (Amendment) Act, 2019 has been published.
iv. Emergency care:
a. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 provides for a scheme for the cashless treatment of victims of the accident during the golden hour.
b. The National Highways Authority of India has made provisions for ambulances at all toll plazas on the completed corridor of National Highways.
c. Further 297 ambulances have been upgraded to Basic Life Support as per AIS-125 and upgradation for the remaining is under process.
(e) The Ministry does not have any separate fund for the purpose. However, whatever rectifications/improvement are required are fulfilled from the overall allocated funds to this Ministry.
(f) Detailed guidelines for taking up road safety audits on National Highways have been prepared and notified. Road Safety Audits have been made part and parcel of all National Highways development projects on EPC/BOT modes. Ministry has issued circular which makes it mandatory to carry out road safety audit for all new road projects having length of 5 km or more at the stage of Detail Project Report (DPR)/Engineering Design.