'Lack of awareness, sensitivity lead to road accidents in India'

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Holding factors like lack of awareness and sensitivity and poor law enforcement as some of the important reasons for the ever increasing road accidents in India, the International Road Federation (IRF) on Wednesday said the "government must do more to improve the scenario".

"Awareness is the key. People must be made aware about the issue and sensitised that one has to be a responsible road user," IRF chairman K.K. Kapila told IANS.

He also expressed concern over the country not having proper comprehensive legislation on the issue.

The Road Transport and Safety Bill, which is to replace the Motor Vehicle Act (1998), is being delayed unnecessarily, he said.

"Even after reviewing it four times, why is it being delayed...I don't see any reason for it to be delayed any further," he said, adding that "at least have the act in place".

On how could the situation be improved, Kapila said the government and the authorities concerned must do more to arrest the mounting deaths due to road accidents in the country.

"Teach and train people - school children should be sensitised, they must be given proper education on road usage and when they grow up and start driving they would be good road users," he said.

Kapila also urged the authorities to train bus and truck drivers in giving first aid to accident victims.

"It would help a lot. If a victim gets that crucial help during the golden hour, it would certainly help us save that life," he said.

On being asked how he expects bus and truck drivers to be helpful as most of road users in India are in the habit of running away from the accident spot fearing police harassment, Kapila said once they are trained they would certainly come out of this fear psychosis and help people in trouble.

He also stressed the need to identify the black spots in Delhi and other cities to minimise road accidents.

"It has to be teamwork for all involved. We as an NGO are prepared to assist at all levels to make India's roads safer," he said.

An official of the Save Life Foundation also expressed similar views on the issue and said all concerned departments must work together to make India's roads safer.

"People who come asking for a driving licence must not be given the same easily but the authorities must ensure that they are fully trained and have the required skills to be on road as drivers," he said.