Call for stern laws to curb road accidents

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Bhubaneswar: All the guests at an event organised Monday to mark the conclusion of the 29th National Road Safety Week has expressed deep concern over the high incidence of road deaths in the state.
The event was organized by the Commerce and Transport Department at Jayadev Bhavan here at AG Square. According to statistics, Odisha records around 4,000 deaths annually. That is, on an average, 13 deaths a day on state roads. The death toll is proportionally higher than in Uttar Pradesh.
The Commerce and Transport Minister, Dr Nrushing Charan Sahoo, who was the chief guest at the event, stressed the need for enacting stringent laws to curb the high incidence of road accidents. He called for speed governing mechanisms in all the vehicles, including two wheelers and light motor vehicles.
Seeking a pledge to bring awareness among people, the minister said special lessons on traffic awareness that are being currently taught in schools should also be included in college syllabus. The minister wanted all district authorities in the state to engage an interceptor and a mobile ambulance on the roads for quick response during the time of mishaps.
G Srinivasan, Principal Secretary, Road and Transport Department, said its engineers have identified 286 accident prone ‘black spots’ on various roads of the state. The government has been taking necessary steps to rectify the engineering defects at these places.
Speaking at the event, Agriculture Production Commissioner said the government has come up with the Good Samaritan police scheme this year to encourage people help the road accident victims and bring them to the nearest hospital for treatment during the golden hours, the first few hours post the accident.
Among the suggestions made by guests is special signage at points where village roads connect with state high ways and National Highways to minimise road accidents.
Prasanna Patshani, a Member of Parliament from Bhubaneswar, urged the youth to not use mobile phones while driving as it has been found to be a major cause of road mishaps in the recent past. He also urged them to wear helmets.