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| Australian Assistant Infra minister Jamie Briggs and IRF chairman K K Kapila signing MoU |
The 16 KM stretch will be developed by the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) under its ongoing ‘Integrated Road Safety Initiative’ in India. An MoU in this context was signed between Australian Assistant Minister for Infrastructure,Mr Jamie Briggs and International Road Federation (IRF) Chairman Dr K K Kapila here at the inaugural session of the two day two seminar on “Status of Road Safety and Safe Mobility Initiative in India jointly organised by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) and IRF .
“As per the agreement the Austrade will develop this demonstration stretch providing and installing Junction management gadgets, speed measurement devices, variable electronic message sign boards, lane violation check camera’s linked with mini control system for appropriate monitoring of the traffic on the demo stretch. Besides these latest gadgets, the latest traffic control devices for smooth flow of traffic and road safety and safe mobility will also be installed making it the first of its kind in the country ”said Mr K K Kapila, Chairman, International Road Federation.
“As per the agreement the Austrade will develop this demonstration stretch providing and installing Junction management gadgets, speed measurement devices, variable electronic message sign boards, lane violation check camera’s linked with mini control system for appropriate monitoring of the traffic on the demo stretch. Besides these latest gadgets, the latest traffic control devices for smooth flow of traffic and road safety and safe mobility will also be installed making it the first of its kind in the country ”said Mr K K Kapila, Chairman, International Road Federation.
“The Australian Trade Commission has an ongoing ‘Integrated Road Safety Initiative’ in India to offer Australian capability and expertise in Road Safety for India. Road Safety is a global effort and shared responsibility.Reduction of fatal road accidents in Delhi last year is a good sign.More efforts are needed and Australia is ready to share its expertise in road safety ” said Jamie Briggs ,the Australian Assistant Minister for Infrastructure .
“ we all know, road safety is a complex and emotive issue. Almost everyone has been, or will be, affected by a death or serious injury on our roads. Every road casualty impacts on the lives of victims' families, their friends and their communities. The safety benefits generated from better roads should not be underestimated. Vehicle Manufacturers can implement new safety technology, and Governments can improve roads and road rules. But there is no substitute for responsible and safe driving. Road safety is, and will continue to be, everyone's responsibility. Advances in vehicle technology will play a vital role in reducing road trauma. Globally, vehicle technology is on the edge of major transformations which will reduce the road toll exponentially.” Said Australia’s Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and regional Development, Jemie Briggs speaking as chief guest at the seminar said.
“The Government is mulling to establish the National Road Safety and Traffic Management Board - an apex body to address all road safety related issues in the country by end of this year. The board, under the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH), will be focusing on ‘regulation of road safety, traffic management system and safety standards in highway design and construction.’ Said Vijay Chhibber, secretary, road transport and highways ministry, While Inaugurating the seminar
“The proposed Road Safety and Traffic Management Board will help in the development and regulation of road safety, traffic management system and safety standards in highway design and construction. The board will have overarching powers to seek explanation and issue directions to both government and private agencies on all issues relating to road safety.” Said Mr Chhibber
‘The board will have powers to summon vehicle manufacturers, if it finds any fault in vehicles involved in accidents. Besides, it will have powers to recommend minimum design, construction, operation and maintenance standards for national highways. It can also conduct safety audits to monitor compliance. In addition to it, it can carry out research in different spheres of road safety and traffic management and recommend mechanism for data collection,’ said Chhibber.
“With 80 per cent of all road deaths worldwide estimated in low income countries , India leads the world inroad accident deaths, with around 1,38,000 people being killed each year. India accounts for 10 % of global road accident deaths . Safer roads and mobility is one of the five pillars of the UN Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020. The pillar emphasizes the need to raise the inherent safety and protective quality of road networks for the benefit of all road users.” Said Mr K.K.Kapila, Chairman, International Road Federation (IRF).
“In India road safety capability is just being developed, the best way to reduce the scale of human tragedy is through traditional road safety interventions mainly prevention. As the basic objective of insurance systems is to compensate for losses incurred, the motor and personal injury insurance sector have a potentially key role in ameliorating the consequences of those casualties and crashes not avoided. They will also have an economic interest in the reduction of outlays, via a reduced number of casualties and crashes.” said Mr Kapila.
A Ministerial meeting consisting of various Union Ministers to discuss Road safety will be organised late evenings and Road Safety awards will be given by Nitin Gadkari ,The MoRTH minister.
The experts attending the seminar will discuss legal initiatives for Road safety, road safety engineering measures, role of education in road safety, vehicle safety and trauma care and road safety an Australian prospective.