Nagpur: During an interview conducted by actor Nana Patekar on a road safety campaign at the Vanamati Auditorium in Nagpur, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, expressed profound concern over the increasing number of accidents. He highlighted several critical points that underscore the gravity of this situation.
Gadkari acknowledged the prevailing disregard for traffic regulations among motorists, including signal jumping, failure to wear helmets, and distracted driving such as using mobile phones.
Over five lakh accidents occur annually in India, resulting in approximately 1.68 lakh deaths. Shockingly, 65% of these casualties involve youths aged 18 to 34, signifying a distressing loss to families and society, Gadkari lamented.
Emphasizing the crucial role of public awareness, Gadkari stressed the importance of instilling traffic discipline from a young age, suggesting collaboration between educational institutions, NGOs, and community leaders to propagate adherence to traffic rules.
Gadkari said his Ministry identified 3,600 black spots and has implemented measures, such as mandating six airbags for four-wheelers, air conditioning truck cabins, and revising road engineering to address safety hazards.
Efforts include the formulation of a bus code post the Samruddhi Mahamarg accident, specifying safety measures like emergency exits, seat spacing, electrical wiring, and safety glass windows, with plans to introduce buses akin to those in Germany and England.
Gadkari advocated for self-regulation, suggesting individuals voluntarily stop driving after the age of 65 to ensure personal safety. He pinpointed common causes of accidents, such as signal violations, lane indiscipline, and reckless overtaking, emphasizing the need for public cooperation.
In light of these revelations, it is evident that urgent and concerted efforts are indispensable to mitigate the alarming surge in road accidents. Measures focusing on education, stringent enforcement of laws, infrastructure improvements, and fostering a culture of responsible driving among citizens are imperative
