Law enforcement is the key to reducing fatalities
A road accident occurs almost every minute in India. With over 1.5 lakh deaths recorded last year, India is the most unsafe country across the globe for road users, way ahead of China (around 63,000 deaths) and the US (about 37,000), according to World Road Statistics-2018 released by the Geneva-based International Road Federation (IRF). This not-for-profit organization has urged the Chief Ministers of Punjab and Haryana to join hands with it to curb accident fatalities. Both states are not among the table toppers in terms of road deaths. In 2018, the top three were Uttar Pradesh (22,256), Maharashtra (13,261) and Tamil Nadu (12,216), according to the annual report of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Speeding accounts for about 65 percent of the road deaths countrywide, underscoring the impunity with which traffic rules are violated. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, has the provision for remedial/refresher courses for drivers, but it’s the enforcement that leaves a lot to be desired. Playing the populist card, several states have withheld the implementation of this legislation or slashed hefty fines for traffic violations.
Speeding accounts for about 65 percent of the road deaths countrywide, underscoring the impunity with which traffic rules are violated. The rot sets in at the licensing stage itself as many applicants manage to bypass the laid-down procedure through touts. The laxity or complicity of officials gives incompetent drivers the liberty to run riot. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, has the provision for remedial/refresher courses for drivers, but it’s the enforcement that leaves a lot to be desired. Playing the populist card, several states have withheld the implementation of this legislation or slashed hefty fines for traffic violations. Let’s go the extra mile to make our roads safer.
REFERENCE : https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/editorials/the-road-to-safety/866177.html
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