It started with a six-month campaign on the Mumbai-Pune stretch in late 2022, followed by the implementation of a long-term solution, compiling taluka-wise accident data of the entire state, and on-the-spot enforcement of road safety measures
In Pic: Officials interact with motorists as part of the six-month safety campaign on Mumbai-Pune road
As per the data shared with mid-day, most of the accidents in Maharashtra happen between midnight and 6 am despite there being less traffic on the streets. The accidents involve two-wheelers and pedestrians. About 45 per cent of crashes happened in rural regions and around 50 per cent of fatalities also happened during the nighttime, as people possibly tend to over-speed and break traffic regulations due to the absence of policing
A V Shenoy, senior transport expert with the Mumbai Mobility Forum and Mumbai Vikas Samiti, said, “We need to have a road safety commissioner on the lines of the railway safety commissioner to look into the cause of every accident and take corrective. He must inspect the highway plan at the design stage and give his comments. Without this inspection and certification, the highway should not be thrown open for traffic. Drivers must undergo periodic driving tests for the renewal of licences”
Also Read: Maharashtra: The grand plan that saved 500 lives on state roads this year
Besides the sustained campaign, the compilation of a database has made a massive impact. Earlier, the authorities never had a comprehensive database and used to act in an ad hoc manner with regard to dealing with accidents
Dr Ravinder Singal, additional director general of police, highway traffic, Maharashtra, told mid-day, “The successful outcome can be attributed to a series of comprehensive measures implemented by the Highway Safety Patrol. One notable initiative is our safety campaign on the Mumbai-Pune stretch, which aims to raise awareness about road safety and encourage responsible driving practices. Additionally, the compilation of taluka-wise accident data has provided valuable insights for better understanding accident patterns and implementing targeted interventions”
In Pic: Dr Ravinder Singal, ADGP, highway traffic, Maharashtra
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