Jaipur: Deputy chief minister Prem Chand Bairwa, during the 22nd meeting of the State Road Safety Council Friday, directed officials from all departments concerned to work with a sense of shared responsibility, transforming road safety into a mass movement, and to take concrete, effective steps to curb accidents.Directing that necessary amendments be made to the road safety guidelines, Bairwa said that immediate assistance must be provided to accident victims and that there should be no unnecessary delay in sanctioning financial aid.“Road safety is not merely a govt obligation but a collective responsibility of society. The govt is making continuous and effective efforts to reduce road accidents, provide immediate aid to the injured, and ensure the safety of every citizen,” said Bairwa.He instructed that ‘Road Safety Mitras’ (road safety volunteers) be provided with necessary safety equipment along with incentive payments.“Drivers of heavy vehicles should receive proper training at the time of licence renewal. Teachers should be given special training to make road safety education effective in schools and colleges; this would raise awareness about traffic rules among the youth,” he added. The minister also emphasised raising awareness and taking enforcement action to ensure that vehicle drivers operate vehicles only within the prescribed time limits, in accordance with the Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961.During the meeting, directives were issued to ensure the installation of road furniture and safety measures, in accordance with regulations, in populated areas, near schools, hospitals and junctions, as well as on connecting minor roads along state and national highways.Bairwa called for strict action against traffic rule violations and directed that priority be given to the fitness, repair and maintenance of buses to ensure safe, smooth and comfortable travel for passengers.In the meeting, it was shared that in the state the incentive amount for Good Samaritans was increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 and 340 Good Samaritans have been honoured in the state.
