The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways formed 4 separate working groups on 4 E’s of Road Safety viz. (i) Education; (ii) Enforcement; (iii) Engineering (roads as well as vehicles); and (iv) Emergency care, as per the deliberations in the last meeting of the National Road Safety Council. These groups would submit their recommendations on short term and long term measures for immediate implementation so as to curb road accidents in the country. These groups  have to submit their report shortly and have started deliberations of various aspects of road safety.

          4 E’s Road Safety :- The main thrust of accident prevention and control across the world has been on 4 E’s vis (i) Education; (ii) Enforcement; (iii) Engineering; and (iv) Environment and Emergency care of road accident victims. The Government of India has been focusing on all these four approaches in its policies and programme.

Education :- Awareness is generated through various Road Safety Campaigns utilizing audio-visual and other print media and through NGOs. With the view to raise road safety awareness among the general public, the Government have been undertaking various publicity measures through DAVP and professional agencies in the form of telecasting/broadcasting of TV spots/Radio spots, display of cinema slides, distribution of posters, books on road safety signage & signs, organizing Road Safety Week, Seminars, Exhibitions. All India Essay Competition on Road Safety, etc., containing road safety messages for various segments of road users viz. Pedestrians, cyclists, school children, heavy vehicle drivers, etc. painting on road railings on themes of road safety, road safety games, calendars depicting road safety messages, etc.

Enforcement :- The Motor Vehicles Act 1988 and Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 contain a number of provisions, which if enforced correctly, would curb traffic violations by drivers. The enforcement of these provisions is primarily the responsibility of the concerned State Government. The States have been advised from time to time to enforce various provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 in the right earnest to improve road safety scenario in the country.

The control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002 provides powers to Highway Administration for control of land within the National highways, Right of Way and traffic moving on the National Highways also for removal of unauthorized occupation of land within the national highways.

Engineering :- Specification/designs are constantly under review by the Roads Wing of the Ministry. The States are constantly being advised on these issues. The Ministry had issued detailed guidelines regarding engineering measures to be taken by all concerned to ensure road safety vide a circular last year. As per this circular the following engineering measures are considered essential for adoption so as to help in improving road safety leading to reduction of accidents:- Geometry of the road; Separation of local traffic; Pedestrian facility; Bus bays; Illuminations; Development of Junction; Signages; Traffic calming & Safety Management Measures; Bridges/CD Structures: and Road Safety Audit.

Environment and Emergency care of road accident victims :-

National Highway Accident Relief Service Scheme (NHARSS) :- The Scheme entails providing cranes and ambulances to States/UTs/NGOs for relief and rescue measures in the aftermath of accidents by way of evacuating road accident victims to nearest medical aid centre and for clearing the accident site. So far, 347 Ten ton cranes and 106 small/medium size cranes have been sanctioned under the scheme. 579 ambulances have been sanctioned to States/UTs/ NGOs under the scheme. During 2011-12, 30 cranes, 30 ambulances and 20 small/medium sized cranes are proposed to be provided.

Further Ministry of Road Transport & Highways would provide 140 advanced life support ambulances to 140 identified hospitals to be upgraded under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s scheme ‘Establishment of an integrated network of Trauma Centers’ along the Golden Quadrilateral, North-South and East-West Corridors of the National Highways by upgrading the trauma care facilities in 140 identified state Government hospitals. 70 ambulances have already been provided. Another 70 will be provided during the current year.

SK/RS