Removing road engineering defects, increase in penalties for traffic violations, implementation of uniform rules in the issue of driving licences and use of technology to check corruption were some of the suggestions made by the delegates at the two-day National Workshop on Road Safety, which concluded here on Saturday.
The Group of Ministers on Road Safety, which includes Transport Ministers from various States, has already made a study and made a number of recommendations. The suggestions which came up at the Vizag workshop would also be included in the recommendations.
The Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill, presently with the Standing Committee on Road Safety, is likely to figure in the ensuing Parliament session. The delegates and international experts sought a uniform plan to prevent road accidents in the country.
Addressing the media on the conclusion of the workshop here on Saturday, Transport Minister Sidda Raghava Rao called upon motorists and the general public to abide by road rules, adopt safe driving practices and refrain from traffic violations to get the benefits of the road safety initiatives being launched by the government in a big way.
The delegates also sought a lead agency on road safety for States and districts with members drawn from the Roads & Buildings Department, Police, Revenue, DM & HO and the Transport Department, which could monitor the progress of the transport system. Kerala had floated a Road Safety Authority five years ago and the same model could be adopted all over the country, the members said.
Chairman of the Group of Ministers on Road Safety Younis Khan felt that the Transport Departments should not be entrusted with the job of revenue collection alone but should pay attention to road safety by filling all the vacant posts.
Transport Minister Sidda Raghava Rao calls upon motorists and the general public to abide by road rules, adopt safe driving practices and refrain from traffic violations
