Arunhcal Pradesh CM Nabam Tuki makes case for effective road safety policy

ITANAGAR: Taking serious note of frequent road accidents, Arunhcal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki has suggested for a strong and effective state policy to avert and minimise such mishaps.

He advocated vigorous campaign for safe driving, safe speed and safety measures for commuters and pedestrians during a high level meeting of the Road Safety Council here at his office conference hall on Friday, an official communiqué said here today.

The meeting was convened on Supreme Courts direction to constitute state specific Road Safety Council to control and check road accidents.

The chief minister had suggested for regular checking of driving licenses including vehicle documents besides keeping track of the safety measures.

He was of the view that maximum road accidents occured due to negligent and rash driving coupled with other reasons like bad roads and lack of safe road infrastructure.

Directing the law enforcement authorities to take stringent measures to regulate traffic rules by ensuring compulsory use of seat belts, helmets for both driver and pillion and strict prohibition of mobile phone usage during driving besides asking the department concerned to put concerted effort in developing safe road infrastructure across the state.

While advocating for a government notified and registered Driving Training Centre in the state, Tuki suggested for a mandatory fill up of forms on formats prepared by transport department for issuance of driving licenses.

Suggesting mandatory health check for all drivers before issuance of driving license, Tuki proposed to set up road safety fund besides attaching ambulances with the traffic police for evacuation of critical accident victims to hospitals.

Directing the departments to install necessary signboards on the roads which are mandatory for road safety, he opined road safety slogans to be incorporated in school curriculum.

He directed the department of transport to prepare an action plan on road safety guidelines by September next.

"Haphazard parking along the roads affects road jams besides making it vulnerable to accidents," the CM viewed and directed for constitution of a committee for identifying parking places under the Chairmanship of DC Capital.

The department of transport had identified 8 black spots in the capital region while 40 other junction posts (25 in Itanagar and 15 in Naharlagun) have been identified where frequent accidents occured.

The department further requested for a full fledged Traffic SP to regulate traffic regulations in the capital region, the communiqué added.