Janjivan Bureau / New Delhi: International Road Federation (IRF) , a Geneva based global body working for better and Safer road Mobility world-wide, has urged all political parties to come together for early passage of Amended Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) in the Rajya Sabha during the currently ongoing session of the Parliament .
The Lok Sabha has already cleared the amended Motor Vehicles Act.
“ As per latest World Health Organization (WHO) figures Approximately 1.35 million people die each year world wide as a result of road traffic crashes. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has set an ambitious target of halving the global number of deaths and injuries from road traffic crashes by 2020. More than half of all road traffic deaths are among vulnerable road users: pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.93% of the world’s fatalities on the roads occur in low- and middle-income countries including India, even though these countries have approximately 60% of the world’s vehicles. Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years.” said Mr K. K. Kapila, Chairman, International Road Federation (IRF), in a statement today .
“Given that Indian roads witness over 500,000 road accidents each year resulting in about 147,000 fatalities, the Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill is an important step towards strengthening the legal framework for improving road safety in India. The passage of Bill will help close major gaps in the legislative framework that governs road safety in the country. India, as a signatory to the United Nations Brasilia Declaration, is committed to reducing road traffic fatalities by 50% by 2020”, said Mr Kapila .
“To reduce the growing number of increasing fatal road accidents in the country, the IRF urges the parliamentarians from various political parties to help enact the much awaited amended Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) in the current session of the parliament to give the world a message that India is working towards its commitments to reducing road accident injuries and fatalities by half by the end of the year 2020.” said Mr Kapila
“Number of Road Accident deaths in India being the highest in the world, higher penalties for traffic offences will help in reducing fatal road accidents. Stronger law and stricter deterrent penalties have worked in curbing road accidents world wide. Clearing and implementation of the new MVA, which has provisions for strict Enforcement with appropriate penalties, accompanied by public awareness of the laws will be a critical factor in reducing road traffic injuries and deaths.” said Mr Kapila
“If traffic laws on drink-driving, seat-belt wearing, speed limits, helmets, and child restraints are enforced strictly, they can bring about the expected reduction in road traffic fatalities and injuries related to specific behaviours. Effective enforcement includes establishing, regularly updating, and enforcing laws at the national, municipal, and local levels that address the above mentioned risk factors. It includes also the definition of appropriate penalties.” He added.
