The deaths due to road accidents in MP have been increasing every year. It increased from 8569 in 2014 to 11249 in 2019 (+23.82%). The increase had been 8.69% in 2015, 3.65% in 2016, 5.5% in 2017, 5.2% in 2018 and 5.1% in 2019. These are the findings of recently held meeting of Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety.
Talking to media persons regarding the findings, on Monday, Addl DG of PTRI DC Sagar told that even during January to June 2020, fatalities have decreased by -24.4% from 6234 to 4716 as compared to the corresponding period of 2019, mainly due to Lockdown. During Lockdown period (24.03.2020 to 31.05.2020) the fatalities decreased by -58.8% from 2551 to 1050 when compared to the same period in 2019. The concern was expressed that more than 80% fatalities in State have occurred due to over speeding. It was observed that the State Government should have done more to reduce the fatalities and taken this task as a mission for becoming an ideal State to be emulated by other States.
State Government reported that it has established on Driver Test Track and on Automated Vehicle Testing and Certificate Centre which are operational with one more to be made operational in Bhopal shortly.
It was observed that State Govt. proposes to establish Computerised Driving Test Centres in all the Districts /RTOs of the State which will be completed by January, 2021.
In the meeting, Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety took stock of the implementation of directions given previously and apposite directions were given which are enumerated as follows: Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act, 2019 should be implemented and enforced in Madhya Pradesh because at present the Police & Transport Department have been taking action as per Motor Vehicle Act 1988/2013.
The quarterly meeting of District Road Safety Committee should be hold regularly. For making the road safe, speed limiting device should be used.
The Road Safety Fund should made Non-Lapsable and notified in the Gazette of Madhya Pradesh government.