Gurugram: International Road Federation (IRF) global road safety body working for better and safer roads worldwide has welcomed the Haryana Director General of Police O P Singh’s written advisory to all police commissioners, superintendents, SHOs, and traffic in-charges across the state, directing them to take urgent and coordinated action to reduce road accidents and fatalities in the state.
“As per provisional accidents data of Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) during the year 2024 state witnessed about 9,806 road accidents and 4,689 fatalities. While as per Haryana DGP nearly 4000 deaths have been reported due to road accidents till October this year, a matter of grave concern. DGP O P Singh’s directive to officers to identify accident-prone and blind-spot areas in their jurisdictions, analyse causes, and implement corrective measures is a welcome sign to reduce accidents in the state” said Mr K K Kapila, President Emeritus , International Road Federation (IRF) .
“International Road Federation (IRF) has been fighting to reduce fatal road accidents in the country. IRF welcomes DGP’s directive ensuring that no vehicles especially trucks and trailers are left parked on the road for long, and if one is, place reflective tape and warning lights to make it visible from a distance. Ministry of road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in 2018 made it mandatory for all goods carrying vehicles especially trucks to affix reflective tapes for providing them better night time visibility and as safeguard against road accidents. “said Mr Kapila
As per Motor Vehicle Act it is mandatory use of retro -reflective tapes in various colours on heavy trucks as this will give strong signals to other road users due to increased visibility. Use of reflective tapes in trucks help reduce accidents and reduce the risk of collisions as better visibility means few crashes and fewer fatalities”. Said Mr Kapila.
“When trucks break down warning signs like leaves, drums, tree branches ,stones are not visible at night and lead to fatal accidents and crashes. Use of reflective tapes on trucks will definitely help reduce accidents. Use of reflective tapes should be made mandatory on cars, light commercial vehicles and motorcycles also” Mr Kapila added.
According to a recent study conducted by the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Affairs , users of retro reflective tapes on trucks can reduce side and rear crashes by more than 30 % at night, “ he added.
“India has a dubious reputation of having the highest number of road accidents in the world. The nation accounts for about 12 Per cent of road crash fatalities worldwide. Thousands of motorists die every year in accidents caused by trucks and other vehicles parked recklessly on highways, many with iron rods protruding from their body frames.” Said Mr Kapila.
“IRF also urges the centre and state governments to make reflective tapes mandatory for over laden trolleys attached to Tractors, mostly overladen with construction and agriculture produce including sugar cane and fodder , which is a common sight in most parts of India. It is estimated that around 65% of farm produce arriving in primary markets is accounted for by Tractor Trolleys. Tractors are a highly vulnerable mode of transport and cause of major road accidents across the country” said Mr Kapila.
“ Strict enforcement of this law by both central and state authorities will make sure that such materials carried in a truck or trailer remain within the length of the vehicle or trailer. An awareness campaign also needs to be run to educate truckers and consignees.” He added.