An overwhelming majority of public transport vehicles in Delhi and the National Capital Region commute without “fitness certificates”, reveals a recent ASSOCHAM survey.
Releasing the survey, “Delhi-NCR drivers violate traffic norms”, ASSOCHAM secretary-general D. S. Rawat said it was estimated that 82 per cent of commercial vehicles on the roads either did not have fitness certificates or have obtained them “through fraudulent means”.
Further the survey revealed that 85 per cent of drivers lack sufficient knowledge of traffic rules and regulations, 52 per cent were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and 76 per cent were driving without valid licences.
The ASSOCHAM survey which shows that traffic norms are violated on a daily basis was undertaken in December to check the safety norms stipulated on Delhi roads such as Ring Road, Outer Ring Road, arterial roads and all major points in Delhi-NCR. Of the respondents, half were in the age bracket of 25-29 years, followed by 30-39 years (25 per cent), 40-49 years (15 per cent), 50-59 years (10 per cent). A total of 2,000 vehicles were checked as part of the drive.
Mr. Rawat said drunk driving, drinking and loitering, driving with tinted glass and other unlawful activities should be dealt with firmly and all public transport should install GPS device for their close monitoring.
“On Delhi’s roads, private buses (75 per cent) are least concerned and respectful to traffic norms followed by cabs (69 per cent), three-wheelers (51 per cent), heavy vehicles (48 per cent) and two-wheelers (28 per cent),” he said.
The survey points out that among those private vehicles violating traffic norms are those drivers who use mobile phones while driving, violation of speed limits, minors driving vehicles, driving without licences, registration certificates, pollution certificates, jumping traffic signals, drunken driving and drivers not carrying fitness certificates while driving.
Mr. Rawat said “enforcement alone is not the solution but proper awareness and road culture has to be changed and correct traffic engineering measures need to be in place”.
The ASSOCHAM secretary general also recommended that functional CCTV cameras be placed at all vulnerable points which should be determined by an expert committee to curb traffic violations.
