Helmet made compulsory for all Pillion Riders.
Chief Secretary directed to undertake intensive awareness activates targeting reduction in fatality.
Bhubaneswar: August 24: Road safety measures to be enforced more vigorously on National and State highways. This was discussed in a video conferencing review meeting taken by Chief Secretary Sri Aditya Prasad Padhi with the districts today from secretariat conference hall wherein Transport Commissioner Sri Madhusudan Padhi outlined the issues for discussion. Reviewing the occurrence of road accidents and fatalities caused thereby, Chief Secretary Sri Padhi directed the Collector and SPs of all the districts to intensify enforcement activities on the national and state highways without causing unnecessary harassment to the people.
Sri Padhi also directed to undertake wide awareness activities targeting reduction of fatality rate in the accidents. Implementation of Good Samaritan policy in its spirit was also highlighted by Chief Secretary. It was decided in the meeting that the helmet for the pillion rider would be enforced hence forth to reduce the fatality rate in two wheeler accidents. Chief Secretary also advised the Home department to delegate powers to all police stations for enforcing the provisions under Motor Vehicle Act.
Collectors and SPs were asked to chalk out joint enforcement strategies particularly on national and state highways. Chief Secretary directed to hold the district level road safety committee meetings in each month with definite enforcement targets. The districts were also asked to observe one Zero Tolerance Day in every week.
Available data showed, during the year 2016 a total number of 10532 accidents took place in the State causing death and injuries to 4435 and 11,312 persons respectively. Transport Commissioner Sri Padhi appraised that as per the available statistics around 57% of accidents occurred in rural areas and 43% accidents occurred in urban areas. In 44% of the cases two wheelers were found responsible for causing the accidents followed by 20% caused by the small passenger carrying vehicles, 23% caused by trucks and 5% caused by buses. In 96% of the cases the drivers were found at fault that caused the accident.
SPs and RTOs were assigned specific targets for detection of the offences. SPs were also asked to use interceptor vehicles of the RTOs at least twice a week for the purpose. Review showed 46,000 driving licenses were suspended in the State from September, 2015 to June, 2017.
Additional Chief Secretary Home Sri Asit Kumar Tripathy, Director General of Police Sri Kunwar Brajesh Singh Principal Secretary Commerce & Transport Sri Sanjaya Rastogi along with other senior officers from Home, Police and Transport departments participated in the review.
