Introduction
On March 19, 2020, the Union Transport Minister informed the Lok Sabha about 10 per cent reduction in accidental deaths since the implementation of the new Motor Vehicle Act, 2019. In this regard, the ministry released the ‘Integrated Road Accident Database (IRAD) System, to boost road safety, generate insights, and enable better decision making. As a pilot project, six states have been identified including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra; Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh.
State-wise Data of Accidents
As per the available information, the implementation of the Act has resulted in positive outcomes. In Gujarat, reduction in accidental deaths was reported the highest, i.e., 14 per cent followed by 13 per cent reduction in Uttar Pradesh. In Manipur, the reduction was –3.40 per cent; in Jammu and Kashmir, 15 per cent, in Andhra Pradesh, –6.40 per cent; in Chandigarh, –14.10 per cent; in Kerala, +4.90 per cent; in Assam, +7.20 per cent; in Maharashtra, -5.40 per cent; in Chhattisgarh, –4.70 per cent; in Haryana, –1.00 per cent; and in Delhi, 1.80 per cent.
The written reply, provided by the Union Transport Minister in the Lok Sabha, revealed that road accident-related deaths in Chandigarh have reduced by 75 per cent, compared to last year; in Puducherry, the decline was 31 per cent, and it was 22 per cent in Uttarakhand. Uttar Pradesh saw the highest number of fatalities in road accidents (1,355) less than last year’s figure of 1,503.
Controversy faced by the Act
When the amended Motor Vehicles Act was introduced, it triggered a huge controversy because the penalty for traffic violation was hiked manifold. Many people were fined tens of thousands for traffic rule violations, which created a large hue and cry across the country. Consequently, many state governments had to issue separate notifications to reduce penalties for traffic rule violations.
As per information, furnished by the government, as many as 38 lakh challans were issued with a total amount of ` 577.5 crore. The highest number of challans were issued in Tamil Nadu at 14,13,996, while the least in Goa at 58.
Objective of the Amended Act
As for the objectives of implementing the amended Motor Vehicles Act, the minister said, “The Act is intended to bring reforms in the area of road safety, bring citizens facilitation, transparency, and reduce corruption with the help of information technology, and removing intermediaries. The Act will strengthen public transport, safeguard, and protect Good Samaritan and bring in reforms in the insurance and compensation regime.” He also added that no state government informed the central government about non-implementation of the Act. He also said the Act allowed state governments to issue notifications to specify amounts charged.
The government has introduced several measures to reduce accidents and one of them is the opening of 1,000 driving schools in the country, of which 22 have been opened. Poor road engineering is one of the major factors behind most accidents. Therefore, the government has identified 3,000 black spots to help reduce these accidents.
Conclusion
The amended act is a good move to reduce the death toll due to road accidents. The amended Act has proved a boon in this respect. The Government further seeks to reduce 50 per cent accidents in the next five years. India is also a signatory to this at the World Safety Conference, held in Sweden.