MPs, experts for early passage of Motor Vehicles Bill

Experts and MPs on Tuesday called for early enactment of the Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill, a decision pending with the Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha.

Emphasising on road safety standards in the country, Dausa MP Harish Chandra Meena said the bill should be passed at the earliest by the Upper House, a statement said. The bill has been passed by the Lok Sabha.

The bill aims to address road safety issues by introducing provisions for stricter penalties for traffic offences, modern and IT-enabled enforcement and protection of good samaritans who rescue road accident victims.

Merely passing the bill would not solve the purpose as there should be awareness about the laws as well, Meena said at a Media Interface on Road Safety organised by CUTS International, a consumer organization.

"People should realise the importance of their life and follow all the traffic rules," the statement quoted Meena as saying.

He said the government as well as public stakeholders should fulfil their duties towards road safety.

Rajya Sabha member D. Raja raised concerns of the states, transport unions and other stake holders in respect of the Motor Vehicles Bill and said it had to be inclusive in nature.

CUTS International Director George Cheriyan said India had only 2 per cent population of the world but it accounted for 10 per cent of road accidents.

He said the vehicle population was increasing at 6 per cent per year but road connectivity was rising at only 0.5 per cent per year.

Nalin Sinha, Consultant at Global Road Safety Incubator, said the main cause of road accidents in the country was speeding followed by over-loading.

Road accident victim Varsha Pradhan, who survived a severe car crash in which she lost her friend, shared her traumatic experience and urged everyone to wear seat belts.

--IANS

vv/pgh/mr