Published On : Mon, Nov 28th, 2022

Strict enforcement of traffic laws can reduce accidents: Transport Commissioner

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Nagpur: The Maharashtra Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar on Saturday asserted that the Transport Department should work hard and take a tough stand on the enforcement of traffic laws as the only resort to reduce mishaps and enhance road safety. “Only strict enforcement of the Motor Vehicles Act can reduce road accidents,” said Bhimanwar.

Addressing a two-day workshop-cum-training session on ‘Scientific Crash Investigation’ attended by Deputy RTOs, Assistant RTOs, Motor Vehicle Inspectors and Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspectors, Bhimanwar said, “It is the duty of the Transport Department officials, especially Motor Vehicle Inspectors and Assistant Inspectors to keep roads and roadsides safe for road users to avoid or reduce accidents, and individuals to follow road safety rules and drive safely as road accident deaths and injuries cause emotional and economic devastation in the affected families.”

Road accidents claim almost 1.50 lakh people every year and most victims are young adults in the age group of 18-45 years, he said. The Motor Vehicles Act needs to be enforced strictly, he said. Citing examples of developed nations, Bhimanwar said in foreign countries like Japan, China etc, motorists never violate traffic rules and regulations because enforcement is stricter there. So, the number of accidents are minimal there, he said, adding, no rocket science is applied there. “But in India, it is exactly the opposite,” he pointed out.

“Both CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have taken serious cognizance of the rise in road accidents,” he added. As a part of this drive, every district collector has been directed to allocate special funds for eradication of black spots and improving traffic signages, he said.

“Similar directions have been given to all municipal corporations to earmark separate funds for road safety,” he said, adding, the government is committed to bringing down road accidents.

Earlier, Bhimanwar and Deputy Transport Commissioner Bharat Kalaskar inaugurated the road safety training hall at the city RTO in Giripeth.