In the wake of the rising road accidents and safety violations in Kozhikode district, the Kerala State Human Rights Commission has directed the State Chief Secretary to take immediate measures to address road safety issues. Judicial member K. Baijunath recently issued a detailed 20-point directive aimed at improving road safety measures across the State.
The directives emphasise the timely completion of road maintenance works in accident-prone areas, enhancing pedestrian safety, and introducing smart traffic management systems to curb recurring traffic congestion. The panel also demanded speedy intervention to address the shortage of personnel in the Motor Vehicles and Police departments. It recommended specialised training for enforcement officers in intelligent transport systems, advanced traffic signal management, and emergency operations. The panel also recommended a focused training programme for officials on the evolving traffic culture.
The Commission urged strict enforcement of traffic laws, including penalties for lane violations, misuse of high-beam lights, encroachments on footpaths, and speeding at crosswalks. Training programmes for motorists to instil a model traffic culture and stringent screening for issuing driving licenses were also recommended.
The Commission highlighted the need for a comprehensive road safety audit to identify and address major safety concerns. Mr. Baijunath observed that better coordination among various agencies handling road safety would lead to more effective results.
The panel granted three months to the Chief Secretary to submit a report on the details of actions taken on the specific instructions. As per the order, the State Transport Commissioner and the State Police Chief would also be accountable for adopting prompt action in the respective areas.
