Relevance
- GS 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Context
- Recently, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has notified constitution of the National Road Safety Board that will function as the leading road safety council of India.
Key point
- Its establishment was first provisioned in the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act of 2019.
- It will have an advisory role and will recommend measures for road safety to the central government.
Head Office of the National Road Safety Board
- The Head Office of the National Road Safety Board shall be in the National Capital Region and the Board may establish offices at other places in India.
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National Road Safety Board Composition
- It shall consist of the Chairman and not less than three, but not exceeding seven Members, to be appointed by the Central Government.
National Road Safety Board Objectives
- The Board shall be responsible for promoting road safety, innovation and adoption of new technology and for regulating traffic and motor vehicles.
- It is aimed at integrating efforts in collaboration with states to reduce road accidents and improve all aspects of safety.
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National Road Safety Board Functions
- Formulation of
- specific standards for road safety, traffic management and road construction for hilly regions
- guidelines for capacity building and development of skills for traffic police,
- guidelines for establishing and operating trauma facilities and para-medical facilities.
- Provide technical advice and assistance to the Central Government, State Governments and local authorities on road safety and traffic management;
- Promote
- Good Samaritans;
- good practices in road safety and traffic management
- new vehicle technology in the field of vehicular engineering;
- co-ordination with international organizations; and
- consistency between international technical standards and domestic technical standards.
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Why needed?
- As per the Road Accident Report for 2019, around 4.5 lakh accidents took place in the country in 2019 leading to more than 5 lakh deaths and more than 4.5 lakh injuries.
- National Highways which comprise of 2.03 percent of total road network, continued to account for a disproportionate share of 7 per cent of deaths in 2019.
- Road safety continues to be a leading cause of death and injury across the world, killing more than 1.35 million globally as reported in the Global Status report on Road Safety 2018 with 90% of these casualties taking place in the developing countries and 11% alone being accounted for by India.
- Road Accidents in India – NCRB Report 2020
Steps by the government to reduce road accidents
- Government has set the target of reducing road accident deaths by 50% by year 2024.
- Motor Vehicle Amendment Act of 2019 was launched to deal with road safety comprehensively.
- The Government has approved a National Road Safety Policy promote to awareness, establish road safety information data base, encourage safer road infrastructure, among others.
- Steps are being taken to rectify the identified Black spots.
- Road Safety Audits are being carried out at all stages of development of the highway.
- Signed Brasilia Declaration and committed to promote road safety.
- Recently, schemes are being launched to grant award to Good Samaritans.