Page 71 - Trafficinfratech Magazine Aug - Sept

MAKING A POINT

not only improves accessibility, provisions of the bill is enhanced motor vehicle laws since the issue
but reduces vehicle travel, thereby penalties. Many traffic offenses first came up for public discussion
improving road safety. in India, such as drunk driving in 2014. WRI provided evidence
Road safety and vehicle and speeding, currently have to Indian agencies on how strong
low penal provisions. Enhanced
manufacturers: penalties will act as a deterrent legislation improves road safety
and raised awareness about
The bill empowers the and hopefully improve safety. The a “Safer by Design” approach
government to ask manufacturers bill would also create a Motor to road safety and sustainable
to recall motor vehicles if they Vehicles Accident Fund that mobility through opinion pieces,
could potentially damage the provides compulsory insurance workshops, and trainings for civil
health and safety of road users, to all road users in India—from society groups and trucking and
whether because of design flaws, drivers to bicyclists to pedestrians. taxi associations. This helped to
emissions or other features. The The fund would pay for treatment build consensus that sustainable
bill would also allow the central of victims, compensate victims’ mobility can play an important
government to levy penalties relatives and more. The bill also role in improving road safety.
of up to $15 million if vehicle protects “Good Samaritans,”
manufacturers fail to meet motor anyone who assists a crash victim Road traffic crashes are an
vehicle standards. The bill also by providing emergency medical epidemic in India. It is not only
recognizes ride-hailing companies or non-medical support, from a public health issue, but an
like Uber and Ola. This will help any civil or criminal action. For economic one: The country loses
better regulate these companies offenses committed by juvenile $58 billion, or 3% of its GDP, every
in terms of drivers’ working drivers, the bill proposes that the year due to road traffic crashes.
hours, data sharing including over guardian or owner of the vehicle The benefits of improving road
things like speeding and traffic would be guilty. safety go far beyond increasing
violations, and more. the overall quality of life for India’s
Creating a Road Safety citizens and will undoubtedly save
Road safety and road movement in India many lives.
users WRI has supported proposals Amit Bhatt

One of the most talked-about to include road safety in India’s Director – Integrated Transport, WRI India

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