Nitin Gadkari inaugurates meet on Road Safety Initiatives
Inaugurating a two day Regional Conference of the International Road Federation (IRF) in New Delhi today, the Minister said that a multi-pronged approach is required to tackle the issue of road safety.
While on one hand we need to build roads that are safe, with proper placement of curbs, under-passes and safety features for pedestrians, he said the automobile industry also needs to pitch in with effective safety measures in the vehicles they produce.
The minister also stressed upon the importance of educating the public about their roles in ensuring road safety, and said that celebrities could be involved in such awareness campaigns. He said that the proposed, modified Motor Vehicles Act would go a long way in making Indian roads safer in an effective and transparent manner.
Speaking on the occasion Vijay Chhibber, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said that road accidents impose a huge human, social and economic cost on the country.
Enumerating the various measures being taken to enhance road safety, Chibber said that the government has created a road safety fund, road safety is also now a part of Corporate Social Responsibility, modern driving schools and automated vehicle inspection centres are being set up, awareness about road behaviour is being generated among the public, especially children.
He also stressed upon the need bringing in the modified Motor Vehicles Act.
