The Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety has proposed stringent measures to improve road safety in Coimbatore, with chairman Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre advocating for the implementation of the 'No Helmet No Fuel' campaign during a crucial review meeting held on Saturday.
Strict Enforcement Measures Proposed
Justice Sapre, chairing the district road safety review meeting at the collectorate, emphasized the urgent need to ensure public compliance with helmet rules. With two-wheeler accidents accounting for 40% of fatal crashes, the committee suggested dramatic enforcement measures including denying fuel to riders without helmets and strict consequences for government employees.
An official from the district administration revealed that Justice Sapre recommended strict enforcement of 'No Helmet No Entry' for all government employees, potentially involving loss of pay or being marked absent for violations. This unprecedented approach aims to set an example for the general public.
Accountability Framework for Accidents
In a significant development, Justice Sapre disclosed that the Supreme Court Committee is currently framing rules to establish clear accountability for each road accident. Road contractors could be held liable for accidents caused by poor road conditions, while officials or local bodies would face responsibility for accidents resulting from road engineering flaws.
The meeting also addressed critical road safety concerns including road engineering defects, unaccountability for damaged roads, and vehicle overspeeding as primary causes of accidents. Justice Sapre advised officials to implement more ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) cameras to identify violations and increase penalties, while also calling for immediate action on highway blind spots.
Independent Road Safety Authority Demanded
Kathirmathiyon, a member of the District Road Safety Committee, presented a comprehensive list of observations and accident reasons to the Supreme Court Committee. Among the concerning findings were numerous road engineering flaws including potholes, uncovered manholes, faulty road designs, defective construction, and unscientific speed breakers.
The committee member strongly advocated for establishing an independent road safety authority staffed with experts having powers to investigate accidents and prosecute responsible persons or agencies. Kathirmathiyon emphasized that this authority must remain completely independent from existing government departments such as police, transport, highways, revenue, and local bodies to ensure impartial enforcement.
Adding to the safety concerns, Kathirmathiyon demanded a ban on high-speed and sports bikes on public roads, citing their potential danger to general road users. The comprehensive review meeting marks a significant step toward addressing Tamil Nadu's road safety challenges through coordinated enforcement and infrastructure improvements.
