Roads and Buildings Minister Tummala Nageshwar Rao today said that they will conduct a study on road safety measures with top priority and submit a report to the government for steps to prevent fatal accidents. Rao chaired a Cabinet Sub-committee meeting on road safety at Secretariat today which discussed on the measures to be taken to prevent accidents and preparing a plan of action.
IT Minister KT Rama Rao, Transport Minister P Mahender Reddy, Panchayat Raj Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, Housing Minister A Indrakaran Reddy and officials attended the meeting. Nageshwar Rao said that the government is spending a whopping Rs 18000 cr for providing better road connectivity and safety in the state. A study will be conducted in states and some nations to bring down road accidents to zero he said. Expressing concern that about 7000 fatal accidents taking place he said that the government will take steps to prevent them. The meeting discussed issues like on immediate steps after accidents and to prevent deaths, loss to assets and plan to be implemented.
Road safety is under the transport department is to be shifted to either roads and buildings wing or other after another round of a meeting he said. About 20 per cent road accidents due to lapses in roads construction and 80 per cent due to rash driving and violation of stipulated road safety norms. Other issues discussed to set up road safety authority with committee and funds, construction of roads, maintenance and management, cases responsibility, parking, scrapping licenses of 15 years old vehicles, issue driving licenses, drunken drive, high speed, new technology vehicles, awareness among people, students and others through publicity. The committee will study the Road Safety Acts and better procedures to prevent accidents in some states or countries. It will submit a report to the government after discussing the issue with experts and others.
According to official data – 7219 persons died against 22,811 accidents and Rs 124 cr penalty collected and 71,07,173 cases in 2016. In 2015, 7110 died against 21252 accidents, Rs 101 penalty collected and 56,28,137 cases. Also in 2014, 6906 persons died against 20078 accidents, Rs 95 cr penalty collected and 49,67,534 cases. (NSS)