Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu top in fatal road accidents

According to the reports submitted by the states and union territories on fatal road accidents, Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have the dubious distinction of having the highest recorded road-accident related mortality in the country.

According to the reports submitted by the state governments and union territory administrations for the three years up to 2005, the all India recorded fatalities in road accidents is:

Minister of state for shipping, road transport and highways K H Muniyappa said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today that the safety of road users was primarily the responsibility of individual state governments.

He, also, pointed out the steps taken to improve road safety such as:

i) Improved road design at the planning stage for national highways / expressways.

ii) Steps to enhance road safety such as road furniture, road markings / road signs, introduction of ''highway traffic management system'' using ''intelligent transport system'', enhancement of discipline among contractors during construction, road safety audit on selected stretches, have been undertaken by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

iii) Refresher training to heavy Motor Vehicle drivers in the unorganized sector.

iv) Involvement of NGOs for road safety activities by the department of road transport and highways and the NHAI.

v) Setting up of ''model driving training school'' in the country.

vi) Publicity campaigns on road-safety awareness through audio-visual and print media.

vii) Institution of National Award for voluntary organisations / individual for outstanding work in the field of road safety.

viii) Tightening of safety standards of vehicles.

ix) Provision of cranes and ambulances to various state governments / NGOs under the ''national highway accident relief service scheme''. National Highways Authority of India also provides ambulances at a distance of 50km on each of its completed highways under its operation and maintenance contracts.

x) Widening and improvements of national highways from two lanes to four lanes and from four lanes to six lanes.