Experts call for uniform action plan to curb road accidents

Experts taking part in a conference today sought a uniform action plan to prevent road accidents in the country and suggested putting in place an integrated licencing system.
The two-day event, which concluded here, saw experts brainstorming on a range of issues related to road safety and providing timely help to accident victims.
Briefing the media on the deliberations, Andhra Pradesh Transport Minister Sidda Raghava Rao said many suggestions came to the fore with regard to reduce the number of accidents and facilitate safe driving in the country.
A major part of the discussion veered around the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill that is with the Standing Committee and likely to be taken up by Parliament in the ensuing session, he said.

Suggestion to increase penalties for violating road safety norms and cancellation of driving licence for repeat offenders was discussed prominently, Rao said.
Experts mooted the idea of formulating a uniform action plan to prevent road accidents, which take thousands of lives in the country every year, he said.

Participants sought a lead agency on road safety for states and districts with members drawn from police and revenue departments, among others, which could monitor development of the transport system, the minister said.
Kerala was a pioneer in this aspect and floated Road Safety Authority five years ago. The experts said the same model could be adopted at the national level, Rao said.

A majority of speakers suggested adding trauma care centres to private hospitals located close to the national highways.
Yunus Khan, Chairman of Group of Ministers set up by the Union Transport Ministry to suggest reforms in the sector, said the department should focus on improving road safety and fill up all vacant posts, he said.
Another road safety measure, "no helmet no petrol' was also discussed at the meeting, he added.
"Under a uniform licencing system, personal details of drivers can be checked anywhere in the country."
Suggestions made by the experts e event would be sent to the Union Transport Ministry for appropriate action, Rao added.