District Magistrate Rohit Khajuria, today chaired 5th District Road Safety Committee (DSRC) meeting and reviewed the implementation of decisions taken at the earlier meeting besides discussing road safety plan.Several decisions were taken in the meeting for controlling and minimizing accidents, smooth flow of traffic and effective implementation of road safety mechanism.The DM stressed for identifying accident prone locations, initiating remedial measures, installation of signage and creating public awareness for making roads safer in the district.Regarding removal of encroachments on NH and repair of Dividers/speed retarders, the DM directed for constitution of a committee for quick action against encroachment and speeding up the repair works on NH. He assured the RTO to provide land for automated driving test track and fitness test of vehicles.The DC stressed on the need to sensitize people about latest directions of Supreme Court regarding protection and discouraging any harassment to good smartens or the persons who evacuate the injured so that people shall be encouraged to extend their help during accidents. The DC called upon the CMO and other departments to display the latest directions of Supreme Court at hospitals.
Helpline number in case of any eventuality, besides compilation of road accident data and highlighting it in public domain to prevent accidents were few other issues which were deliberated upon in the meeting.DM directed the SSP to create deterrence among the riders regarding use of helmets while driving two-wheelers.The Chief Education Officer was directed to issue directions to all the schools to strictly follow the guidelines of the Supreme Court regarding maintenance of the School buses and installation of speed governors.The SSP said that the police will organize week long drive to create awareness among the students about the traffic rules. He also advised the engineers to prepare DPR of roads inclusive of erection of crash barriers. He flagged the issue of unauthorized divider cut at different locations of NH, repair/maintenance of railing of bridges at Magar Khad, Kalibari, DayalaChak and other locations, installation of high mast lights at Londi Morh and PS Rajbagh and Passenger Vehicle Bay at major NH intersections.RTO Kathua, Dr. R K Thapa apprised the meeting regarding the road safety action plan and sought proposals from all the stakeholders. He said that a web-based road accident data management system has been devised to curb the frequency of accidents by taking corrective measures. Speed calming measures like hoardings depicting speed limits have been installed along the NH, he added.Issues related to movement of stray cattle on NH and the main roads of the district, implementation of Ribbon Development Act and development of way side amenities have also been discussed in the Action plan, RTO added.