Government has the biggest role to play:
There are several questions that we can raise and demand an action from our Government and leaders?
People drive without helmets, seat belts, between lanes and at high speeds and break traffic rules regularly.. resulting in accidents.. fatalities and injuries..
Why are we not investing enough in staffing and technology for effective patrolling and enforcing strict traffic rules and regulations and levying heavy fines on defaulters?
Poor Vehicle condition leads to accidents.. Why is annual inspection and maintenance of vehicles not made mandatory?
Why are the speed limits not posted on all the roads/highways?
Why is there no efficient highway patrolling to enforce rules and speed limits?
Why is technology not efficiently used to enforce traffic rules like most developed countries do?
Do we have a system that investigates the traffic incidents/accidents and take an action to mitigate them?
Why isn’t there enough focus on improving our roads and enforcing regulations and reducing accidents?
Effective focus on improving our road and traffic conditions resolves several major problems: Reduces traffic incidents by enhancing pedestrian safety.
Decreases unemployment by efficient staffing to oversee road regulations.
Economic growth and better quality of life with improved road conditions.
There are several actions as listed below that our government can take in the direction towards development:
*Brainstorming: A highly qualified team should be appointed at the center, state and local levels to study the road conditions, make effective recommendations for changes and improvement and implement them.
Recruitment & Staffing:
There is a vast need to increase recruitment and staffing for effective implementation and enforcement of traffic rules and regulations. Highly skilled personnel should be recruited in planning and leadership roles to oversee the procedures to be laid out for traffic re-engineering.
Education and Research Funding:
Government should encourage and support the development of professional degrees in Transportation engineering and safety in colleges which will generate the skilled professionals much needed to solve the problems and help in developing great infrastructure.
Government should also allocate enough budget and provide grants for the study of the problem and resolutions for conditions/population in India.
*Traffic Police: There is a high need for increasing staffing for traffic monitoring and highway patrolling. They should be well equipped and trained with the tools and state of art technology to monitor and to ensure that the traffic rules are effectively adhered to and fine the defaulters.
Government can work with global non-profit organizations like ITDP(Institute for Transportation and Development Policy) which works in co-ordination with any willing Government in designing and developing high quality transportation system.
It should consider innovative mass transit system like BRT(BusRapidTransit) which combines the efficiencies of Metros and low cost and flexibility of buses while having significant positive impacts on the environment.
Road Repair, Re-Design and construction:
*Road Repairs: Damaged Roads and bridges can result in major accidents. Hence regular assessment and fixing of damaged Roads and bridges should be given highest priority. A hot line to receive complaints about damaged roads should be provided and a team should be allocated to take immediate action.
*Redesigning and construction of Roads:
Where ever needed, in the instance of increased traffic congestion or accidents, Roads have to be re-designed for efficiency taking the local conditions into consideration. Some factors that need focus are:
Widening Roads
Clear Lane markings or add brief additional lanes for for left and right turns.
Creating additional lanes for merging or exiting from high ways to avoid traffic slow down or congestion or collisions.
Create smaller and separate lanes for two wheelers.
Install appropriate sign boards and signals where ever needed.
*Footpaths: People need Foot paths to walk unimpeded by vehicles and in turn vehicles are unimpeded by people, so construction of foot paths on all roads should be given due diligence.
*Assessment of traffic congestion:
Access management: It focuses on the location, spacing, and design of entrances, street intersections, and traffic signals. Each of these creates conflict points where vehicles have to stop or slow down, disrupting the flow of traffic and cause traffic congestion and crashes. Better management of access to the highway can reduce the number of conflict points and ensure public safety, reduce pollution and and commuting times. So the officials should be appointed to study such local conditions and make suggestions for implementation.
*Investigation of accident sites:
If a particular road is more prone to accidents, the road conditions should be immediately investigated and necessary steps should be taken to fix the problem.
Technology:
Technology plays a very vital role in the implementation and enforcement of Traffic rules and regulations and can be very handy for the staff for efficient performance.
So a continuous study and upgrade of the technology be given high focus to maintain the safety standards on the Road.
Installation of CC Cameras at intersections and signals and high traffic areas can be very helpful in catching the defaulters of traffic rules and imposing fines appropriately.
Radar speed detectors to monitor speed limits are very handy for traffic police.
Aerial monitoring of speed limits.
Radar speed signs are traffic calming devices that can be installed on Roads which slow speeders down by alerting them of their speed.
Electronic Road warning display sign boards have to be used.
Knowledge sharing with developed countries
Developed countries excel in the design of roads, implementation and enforcement of Traffic regulations and use of technology for the safe and efficient traffic regulation. Their system should be used as a Model of study to set standards and guidelines.
So continuous knowledge sharing in the field can be greatly helpful.
Educating drivers and pedestrians:
Lack of awareness of road rules and recklessness are the major contributors of accidents. So it is very essential that a driver is fully informed of Road rules. It can be achieved by various means and some of which are:
*Learner Permit Test:
In most of the developed countries this test is mandatory for any individual before he can sit in the driving seat. This test covers all aspects of Road rules such as understanding the
Sign boards, Signals, Lane markings, Speed limits, maintaining safe distance, safety rules under different weather conditions and scenarios.Such test should be made mandatory in all states in India too and be strictly administered by Government Department of Motor Vehicles.
A sample Learners guide is found here: DriverLearnersGuide
*Driving Test: Driving Testing should be conducted with strict and well formulated guidelines to ensure that the driver is fully aware of and follow all the road and safety rules before he is issued driver’s license. The test should be conducted in Real Road conditions covering all important aspects of safety. Please find the sample guide for developing these rules: SampleGuideForDrivingTestRules
The rules strictly implemented by DMV without any exceptions.
*Pedestrians: Pedestrians should also be educated about the Road rules when walking on the roads or crossing footpaths or boarding into vehicles.
*Defense Driving classes: When drivers break road rules or speed limits or indulge in accidents, in addition to levying fines, attending Defense Driving classes should be made mandatory. These classes should educate about safe driving rules under all conditions and demo accident videos to remind of the dangers of reckless driving.
Rules and Regulations:
With out strict enforcement of rules and regulations, safety can never be enforced on the Roads Government has to take several measures:
*Helmets: It is a well known fact that head injuries are the leading causes of the death of the 2 wheelers on the road. So wearing helmets should be made mandatory for drivers as well as pillion drivers on 2 wheelers and fines should be imposed on defaulters.
*Seat Belts: Seat belts are life savers in any major accident. So wearing them should be made mandatory for the front as well as back seaters.
*Lane Adherance: Strictly adhering to lanes and driving in the middle of a single lane should be made a rule. Lane changes should be accompanied by signaling and the defaulters should be fined.
*Speed Limits: Lack of enforcement of speed limits is biggest set back of traffic rules in India resulting in many high way casualties. Setting up and Posting speed limits on all roads should be made mandatory: be it in a town or on the highway. Speed limits should be strictly monitored and defaulters should be fined heavily to promote safe driving.
*PointSystem: Every time a driver is caught breaking the rules he should be imposed fine and levied points and at a certain limit should be revoked license.
*Signals and Sign Boards: Proper signals and sign posts should be installed in every required place on the road.
*DMV(Department Of Motor Vehicles): Recruit enough staff for Department of Motor vehicles in every town to oversee activities such conduct Learners permit and driving tests, registration and annual safety checks.
India traffic revolution 