If the suggestions proposed by Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan are incorporated in the proposed legislation on road safety, then long distance drivers will have to take “mandatory rest” during the course of their journey and there will be “psychiatric evaluation” of heavy vehicle drivers.
In a letter to Union Minister for Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Dr. Vardhan has suggested a slew of proposals, which include heavy penalty for drunk driving and use of mobile phones while driving. He also suggested enforcement of rules on the use of low beam headlights and horn.
Taking cognisance of the high mortality rates on account of > road accidents , the Minister has suggested making helmets for both drivers and pillion riders and functional seat belts for all passengers mandatory.
As per data collected by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, in 2010 alone there was an accident every minute and a death every four minutes on Indian roads. Of the total of five lakh accidents, 1.3 lakh were fatal and the others resulted in disabilities. The World Health Organisation had earlier reported that the country loses more than 1,00,000 lives in traffic crashes every year and that it has a road traffic fatality rate of 16.8 deaths per 1,00,000 population.
To bring down the fatalities, Dr. Vardhan has also suggested regular medical check-up for drivers, prominently designed pedestrian crossings, properly designed speed breakers, provision of ambulances along highways, no sale of fuel to drivers of two-wheelers without helmets and compulsory provision of air bags.
The Health Minister has also advocated a voluntary pledge for organ donation from applicants of driving licences to give a fillip to the organ donation drive in the country.
