Road Safety in Bangaru Telangana

An initiative to improve Road Safety Telangana

In view of the anxiety expressed by the Hon’ble Chief Minister on the spate of road accidents in the State resulting in loss of life, serious injuries and loss of property, the Transport Department undertook the task of preparing an approach paper to set in motion a series of measures by various stake holding departments to improve road safety. The emphasis of the approach paper is on immediate temporary measures, which are preventive in nature and do not cost much to the exchequer.

It is proposed to prepare a comprehensive policy delineating the medium and long term measures and the financial support that is required to improve road safety with the following goals.

• To bring down the number of accidents.
• To earmark separate funds for road safety programmes.
• To draw up specific programmes to improve major roads for safe travel, to protect vulnerable road users and to improve driver training, licensing and monitoring procedures.
• To obtain better co-ordination between various departments and NGOs.
• To create information system on accidents and to suggest post accident relief and other remedial measures.

As an immediate measure, it is also proposed to run an awareness campaign which not only involves the education and sensitization of the stake holders like drivers, vehicle owners and the pedestrians but also involving the Government Departments and public representatives to undertake immediate ameliorative steps. It is also proposed to take the assistance of M/s HUBERT EBNER PVT LTD., an Indo-Austrian Joint Venture, which offered to help improve the situation after their recent tour in the State. The Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 mandates constitution of ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL at State level and district levels to ensure road safety. As per Section 215 of Motor Vehicle Act these councils shall discharge such functions relating to the road safety programmes.

DRIVER RELATED MEASURES:

Effective training

Monitoring and encouraging driving schools

While there was no statutory requirement of specific training for obtaining a DL till 1988, the M.V. Act, 1988 specified training for a period of one month only for obtaining a DL for driving a transport vehicle by creating a framework for establishment of Driving Schools. However, the functioning of these driving schools, except in two or three cases, is very disappointing. There is need to tighten the inspection regime for these schools which are authorized to issue certificates. The user organizations like lorry owner’s organizations auto drivers associations, motor vehicle manufacturers and dealers will be encouraged to get involved in this exercise. The existing infrastructure in the Polytechnics, ITI’s and APSRTC Zonal Training Centres will also be tapped for this purpose.

Training the trainers

It should be made compulsory for all the trainers to undergo training in premier organizations like KDLOA Driving school, near Vijayawada, NAVATA Driving School, Jaggayapet and from the manufacturing companies of automobiles. The services of APSRTC will also be utilized for this purpose.

Effective testing for licence:

There is need to strengthen the DL testing mechanism WITHOUT COMPROMISE. Infrastructure needs to be improved by creating and upgrading the scientific testing tracks in every DTC/RTO office. Similar arrangements shall be made in all other sub offices of the Transport Department. Efforts shall be made to tap the ROAD SAFETY FUNDING from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, GOI.

In-service (refresher) training

With the continuous up-gradation of vehicle and road technology, there is need to upgrade the skills of the in-service drivers also by offering packages of refresher training programmes.
The ROAD SAFETY CELL of Min. of RTH has been funding hugely any government initiatives or proposals from reputed NGOs with respect to such refresher training for heavy vehicle drivers. Properly publicized these training modules which include compensation for attending the 2 or 3 days module, one year free insurance and free medical check-up for the attendees.

Organizations like District Lorry owners Association and NAVATA transport have been successfully tapping these funds in district. Similar potential organizations shall also be identified and encouraged in other parts of the State.

Offence/Punishment recording measures:

Enforcement agencies like Transport Department and Traffic Police generally resort to compounding of various driving related offences by collecting prescribed compounding fee, which also has become a major source of revenue. It should be made compulsory to launch prosecution in case of serious offences as a deterrent. It may require creation of Mobile/ Fast Track Courts to help the prosecutors from running around the local courts and to help in fast disposal of cases.

Care of drivers of transport vehicles by owners and government:

The cadre of driving workforce is the most disorganized lot financially, physically and socially. It is but natural that a sort of social and financial security will bring in a lot of discipline and belongingness among them.

Tackling Young drivers:

Ever growing number of two-wheelers in the State presents a disturbing trend leading to traffic congestion and pollution. It also is a sad pointer to the failure of public transport system in the State to cater to the needs of traveling public. Another disturbing trend is that most of these twowheelers are being recklessly driven by young and minor citizens.

ACTIVITIES

Before Commencement of the Programme

• Meetings - To solicit participation of related agencies.
• Material - Posters (25000) - Stickers (1.5 Lakhs) –
Booklets - On Driving Licence obtaining procedures with eLLR database. (50,000) - Cartoon book on Road Safety for School Children. (25 Lakhs).

After Commencement of the Programme

• Awareness programme /Refresher course/ Sensitization
• Drivers (1.43 lakhs)
• Sensitization of School / college students
• Students (73,904)
• Publicity –Rally, Photo exhibition, Audio – Video programmes, Kalajatha, Street play, Burrakatha, Power point presentations, Films screened etc.,
• Drivers and General public (58,390)
• Training of trainers of Institutions. Driving schools (220) Inspection of vehicles School buses (921)
• Awareness programme Stake Holders (1,515) Health / Eye camps Drivers (7,623)

OTHER PROGRAMMES

• Identification of Categories of Vehicles for fixing speed governors - Action is being initiated to identify specific category/categories of vehicles for fixing speed governors.
• Introduction of Slot System for conducting driving tests throughout the State.
• Identification of land for establishment of driving schools by lorry owners associations in the districts.
• Fixing up of the number of Contract Carriages(Buses and 3 Wheelers) by fixing quota of permits to reduce traffic congestion in selected towns.
• Rigid testing of vehicles for Fitness Certificate.

G. Rajendera Kumar