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The issue of motorcycle helmet use: More than 90% of motorcycle drivers and pillion riders drive without a helmet—a blatant safety issue that remains largely unaddressed. Alternate strategies for behaviour change and political championship will be essential.
Toward a bigger, bolder road safety program
The state has identified Road Safety as a priority and constituted a State Road Safety Council headed by the Chief Minister which convenes every month. This in turn is supported by District Road Safety Committees (DRSC) which also meet every month and are required to submit district level data regularly to the Council. The state has set itself a target of reducing fatalities by 15% by 2020 and 50% by 2025, and a suitably empowered and data-savvy Transport Department leads this effort.
Based on the experience on the Kadapa-Renigunta demo corridor, the Transport Department now plans a sizeable scale up of the programs in each of the 13 districts in the state. Some 1620 km of vulnerable road sections have been identified to be part of the next phase. Building on the success of the first demonstration corridor, the World Bank looks forward to expanding this approach—and saving lives across the state.
Delhi opens automated driving test centre
Delhi’s first fully automated driving test centre (ADTC) at the regional transport office in Mayur Vihar Phase- I was inaugurated recently. Simultaneously, three more ADTCs started operating in the city at Vishwas Nagar, Sarai Kale Khan and Shakur Basti. These ADTCs are set up and maintained as a CSR initiative by Maruti Suzuki India Limited as part of its agreement with the Department of Transport, NCT of Delhi.
The fully automated driving test facilities use access control along with biometric, RFID recognition system. Access Control will permit entry of applicants only at the pre-assigned time slots, thus making it efficient and convenient. The new ADTCs are equipped with scientifically designed test tracks. The use of advanced technology including multiple high definition cameras helps evaluate applicants against 20 essential driving skills, in-line with Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR).