Bharat Stage-IV emission norms in 11 cities by 2010, says Baalu

He, however, admitted that there was one road accident every minute and one death due to road accidents every five minutes in India.

Baalu said there has been a rise in road accidents with the expansion of road networks and increase in the number of vehicles. He informed that in 2006, 4.6 lakh accidents took place in which 1,05,749 people were killed and five lakh people were injured.

The Minister said a National Road Safety and Traffic Management Board would soon be set up. It would look into several aspects of traffic management, including design and quality of road infrastructure, safer vehicles, law enforcement and provision of accident care.

“The Sundar committee recommendations to use 1 per cent fuel cess towards Road Safety Fund was also at an advanced stage of approval. A proposal to promote road safety in educational institutions was also on the cards and Rs 120 crore would be earmarked for it,” he said.

Baalu said the amended Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 is likely to come through by the Monsoon Session of Parliament. It would help check the rise in the number of accidents with stiff penalties for traffic offences and more compensation for accident victims, he added

“We have proposed that the enforcement authorities may suspend driving licences on the spot for up to three months in cases of drunk driving. We have also proposed to introduce civil liabilities on a driver with a penalty of up to Rs 5,000 for rash or negligent driving, causing injury to a person or damage to property,” he said.