Government considering introducing new safety devices for heavy commercial vehicles to monitor accidents – Roadways News

To control the rising number of road accidents, the government is considering installing three new safety devices in heavy commercial vehicles that will prevent people from falling asleep at the wheel and ensure safety during emergency braking and vehicle stability, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Tuesday.

The devices expected to become mandatory include electronic stability control, an emergency braking system, and a driver drowsiness warning and security system. The consultation process on the installation of these devices is ongoing and some comments have been received from interested parties.

Once the consultations are completed, the draft notification will be issued before all the details are finalized, Gadkari told reporters after a two-day meeting with the transport ministers of the various states. He also said that consideration should be given to limiting the number of hours truck drivers can drive to 8 hours, although this presents a number of challenges.

About 180,000 people die on Indian roads every year, of which 33,000 die in accidents involving trucks.

The minister also announced a plan to set up 1,250 driving schools and fitness centers across the country in the next two years, for which the central government will provide financial support of Rs 4,500 crore. States will not have to contribute any funds to them, except for land.

Centers set up in tier-I cities will receive support of up to Rs 17.25 crore, in tier-II cities Rs 5.5 crore and in tier-III cities Rs 2.5 crore. “These new schools would help address the 2.2 million driver shortage. The schools will be able to educate 2.5 million drivers,” Gadkari said.

To encourage circular economy In automatic In the scrapping sector, the minister said that the number of scrapping points may exceed 100 from 82 currently, and in some time there will be at least one scrapping point in each country. The government is also considering introducing the obligation to use recycled materials in cars industryhe said. The meeting also discussed the schedule for introducing BS VII standards and presented the revised guidelines on pollutants covered by inspection certificates.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is also working on the nationwide introduction of a program that will enable cashless treatment of road accident victims throughout the country. Pilots of the program are already underway, and based on lessons learned, it will be expanded to more states.

The scheme will cover hospitalization costs up to 7 days or a maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh per accident per person. The program will cover all hospitals, both government and private. For hit-and-run accidents, Rs 2 lakh per person.