Rajasthan: First State to Adopt Road Safety Action Plan

• 09 Jul 2024

Why in News?

Rajasthan is going to become the first State in the country to adopt an action plan for road safety for the next 10 years. The action plan will be aimed at reducing road accidents in the State by 50% till 2030.

Key Points

• The policy would generate awareness among the public at large about road safety provisions and bring about behavioural changes for complying with road safety rules.
• According to the sources, the World Bank would render assistance to the State government in the preparation of an action plan and road safety policy by incorporating the best practices adopted in different countries.
  • The action plan will be implemented in three stages. The first stage from 2025 to 2027, second from 2027 to 2030 and the third from 2030 to 2033.
  • It will lay emphasis on different aspects of speed limit, safe distance, traffic signals, use of road barriers, pedestrian safety, use of seatbelts, helmets, and vehicle insurance.

Initiatives Related to Road Safety

• Global:

  • Brasilia Declaration on Road Safety (2015):

    • The declaration was signed at the second Global High-Level Conference on Road Safety held in Brazil. India is a signatory to the Declaration.
    • The countries plan to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.6 i.e., to halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents by 2030.
  • Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030:
    • The UN General Assembly adopted resolution "Improving global road safety " with the ambitious target of preventing at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.
    • The Global Plan aligns with the Stockholm Declaration, by emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to road safety.
  • The International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) :
    • It is a registered charity dedicated to saving lives through safer roads.
• India:

  • Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, 2019:

    • The Act hikes the penalties for traffic violations, defective vehicles, juvenile driving, etc.
    • It provides for a Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, which would provide compulsory insurance cover to all road users in India for certain types of accidents.
    • It also provides for a National Road Safety Board, to be created by the Central Government.
  • The Carriage by Road Act, 2007:
    • The Act provides for the regulation of common carriers, limiting their liability and declaration of the value of goods delivered to them to determine their liability for loss of, or damage to, such goods occasioned by the negligence or criminal acts of themselves, their servants or agents and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
  • The Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2000:
    • The Act provides for the control of land within the National Highways, right of way and traffic moving on the National Highways and also for removal of unauthorized occupation thereon.
  • National Highways Authority of India Act, 1998:
    • The Act provides for the constitution of an authority for the development, maintenance and management of NHs and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.