Twin Approaches to Safety

Tough measures required:

While technology can help reduce accidents and increase road safety, strict enforcement can do wonders to reign in the errant driver. As proved by statistics that show death due to road accidents had reduced by over 20% over a period of three years in Delhi when the then Jt CPO of Traffic began talking tough. Some simple steps taken on enforcement included positioning policemen at traffic signals during peak hours. The very sight of a law-enforcement officer at the intersection cautioned drivers to be compliant. Drunken drivers, who, since decades had been let off with a reprimand, were now fined and jailed, a humiliation many could not endure. The NHAI was forced to develop infrastructure on highways for the safe passage of pedestrians who needed to cross the road from one village to the other. Speed-calming measures were introduced on signal-free road-bridges to check enthusiastic but dangerous driving. Based on current figures, over 20% of the fatal accidents in the country are caused by drivers with no driving license. Punishment by way of fines and jail terms was the only way to get people to understand the importance of safe road practices.

There was a meeting by the supreme court road safety committee a few months back, with representation of transport officials from all states and UTs and MoRTH. The committee was formed under the chairmanship of officials from MHA. The committee is working on detailed guidelines or SOPs for ITS implementation. It is already work-in-progress.

Paresh Kumar Goel

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways

Recording violations:

Anybody can record a violation on camera, either as a picture or a video and post it on the social media handle of the traffic police. The violator is immediately forwarded the challan with proof of violation. While this can be contested in court, most times people agree they have made a mistake and pay up the fine. Rules for recording violations on mobile apps and are already available. These advancements are in place and aid in enforcement.

Enforcement vs Technology?

The international average of number of police personnel per one lac of population is roughly 500. In India it is 140 per lac of population, one fourth the number. With issues like dense population, one cannot expect the police to be at every place sorting out every traffic law-and-order problem. Technology can help reduce their work-load. Behavioural change is also expected of people who obey traffic rules in other countries but are casual when it comes to their own. A combination of technology and enforcement would be the right balance for effective road safety management.