Let’s focus on eliminating over-speed & blind spots

One of the major factors for road fatalities in India is high speed and dangerous driving. A recent study showed this accounts for 40% accidents in the country. Therefore, let us focus on curbing speeding and dangerous driving, instead of chasing too many factors aimed at reduction in road fatalities.

To achieve effective reduction of road fatalities, work should be done under each pillar of UN Decade of Action to curb the menace of over-speeding and dangerous driving. For example, suitable legislative measures may provide for speed limits and severe punishment for their violations. Similarly, engineering measures may be taken for provision of rumble strips on minor roads at junctions, provisions of underpasses and adequate signage. The enforcement agencies should have proper equipment and IT-enabled services for effective monitoring.

One of effective ways to provide speed control on trucks and buses is to provide ‘governors’ of engines. In the case of cars, individual restraint is a solution. In fact, family heads may make positive influence in cautioning their younger members against over-speeding and its devastating effects. This requires public awareness, for which voluntary organizations, NGOs and the media can help.

It is time India took strict implementation of measures for controlling road fatalities in order to meet the UN target of reducing them by half in 2020.