A spurt in the deadly incidence of horrific road accidents ,resulting in several deaths and injuries,is a serious cause of concern,The increase may be because of increase in vehicles on roads and lax enforcement of road safety rules but the role of wretched condition is the.primary cause .

The government's move in 2019,to amend stringent laws for the traffic violators ,was a historic step to reduce the road accidents and instill a greater sense of discipline among road drivers but it has not helped.

India is one of the most accident-prone countries in the world, accounting for over 1,00,000 deaths — about 10 percent of all motor vehicles-related fatalities worldwide, as per road accidents India 2020,there were 3,66,138 road accidents,there were 131,714 people ied and 3,48,279 caused injuries

Mere expressions of sympathy by authority are not enough,authorities must act,

To curb the road accidents,we require a multi-dimensional approach ,Strict enforcement of traffic laws,strict driving tests, and above all more traffic police personnel on roads/highways .

For the state, authorities and media, road accidents may not be any major headlines .

India's move to impose stringent laws against traffic violators is historic and will surely arrest the rising graph of road accidents and bring down the fatalities. This is very important in the light of the sharp rise in road accidents in India. In 2018 alone, 1.49 lakh people lost their lives in accidents. Hence the Amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act (MV Act-2019) effective September 1, providing for hefty fines and penalties on traffic violators are definitely a welcome step.

The amendment consists of some highly praiseworthy features like protection of good samaritans and ensuring the family gets compensation in case of accidents. Yes, the penalties are hefty but the amended rules are for our own safety and are aimed at bringing order on the roads.

The government should also set rigid guidelines for driving lessons and improve the quality of training at driving schools. I am sure the people in India will welcome the new rules and abide by them.

(2)Safety First,
The Pioneer,6th Sep,2019,L.E

Sir — This refers to the editorial, “Do the crime, pay fine” (September 4). The Government’s move to introduce stringent laws for those violating traffic rules is historic and will likely help arrest the rising graph of road accidents besides instilling a sense of discipline in the road users. Statistics speak for themselves:

India is one of the most accident-prone countries in the world, accounting for nearly 1,50,000 deaths — 10 per cent of all motor vehicles-related fatalities worldwide. However, the stringent fines imposed by the Government may not lead to improving safety. For in most such cases, stringent penalties have either not been enforced or have led to bribery and corruption. Nevertheless, the Act has certain provisions that are well intentioned. For instance, it goes on to increase insurance penetration. It provides for an enhanced compensation of 5 lakh in case of death of a person in a traffic accident and 2.5 lakh where there is “grievous hurt.” The compensation to be awarded following hit-and-run accidents has also been raised to 2 lakh when a victim dies and 50,000 when he/she suffers a grievous injury. It is to be hoped that the public at large will follow the set guidelines in the interest of their own safety and that of others, too.

(3) Subject=Amended Motor vehicle(MV Act,2019) "A Historical decision/moment"

Sir,Governmnet of India's move to bring stringent laws for traffic violation is a "HISTORIC MOMENT",it will surely arrest the rising graph of road accidents and bring down the fatalities,This is important in light of sharp rise in the road accidents in Indian, in 2018, 1.49 lacks people lost their lives in 2018.

Hence this Amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act(MV Act-2019) effective 1st Sep,providing for enhanced hefty fines and penalties on traffic violators are definitely a welcome and a step forward move to minimize accidents on roads

New MVA bill consist of some highly praise worthy features like protection of "GOOD SAMARTANS" and "ENSURING FAMILY" gets compensation arising of accident, though there are hefty Penalties but these new amended traffic rules are for our own safety. they are aimed at bringing order on the roads and protecting lives,

Also governmnet should set a rigid guidelines for "RIGID DRIVING TEST" and improve quality training at "DRIVING SCHOOLS" for learning drivers

It is hoped Public at large will welcome the new rules and follow it in interest of their own safety.

A number of lives are lost everyday due to bad roads and bad road sense.Ramesh G Jethwani suggests some measures to help curb road accidents.

Frequent fatal road accident have been alarmingly increasing in the globally recongnized infotech city of Bangalore and on Karnataka’s state highways where daily, many human lives are being lost especially that of youngsters. There are various reasons for these reasons have been constantly neglected by our planners/authorities. In the past, successive governments have not considered developing a modern road network and accident trauma service as the precident trauma service as the priority sector, but something is being done after the formation of the Bangalore Task Force by Chief Ministor SM Krishna.

We frequently blame the police but our problems lie else where. Road accidents are mostly due to the unscientific training imparted by our driving institutes and the lax tests during issuing of driving licences in the country. A learner driver registers in a driving school and gets a licence after a training of one hour daily for 10 days which Is completely inadequate. We need to develop better driving institutes with a minimum training period of 20 days and scientifically and comprehensive driving tests for parking, reversing on city and highway roads, overtaking and minor repair work. Better training will llead to better road sense thus reducing accidents. Driving licences should be given to the literates only.

Police authorities should very ruthlessly implement the motar vehicle Act and if necessary the government should impose heavy fines and prosecute reckless drivers as rash and over speeding leads to fatal accidents.

Today a majority of road accidents are deue to reckless driving by drivers of the BMTC, tempos and mini buses .In the present scenario, the authorities should ruthlessly prosecute them and cancel their licences. The BMTS management should under no circumstances stand bail tor these drivers who violate traffic laws. Today 25 per cent of road accidents are caused due to carelessness of the drivers of mini buses and heavy vehicles though they may constitute only I or 2 per cent of the ever-increasing vehicular population in the city

Here are some suggestions that can be examined:

(i) Improve traffic police infrastructure to improve traffic man agreement: The Government should increase the traffic police's Infrastructure by increasing the manpower at the levels of constables, and sub inspectors. This will reduce the pressure on the present manpower as today they have to work for long hours, provide more radio communication instruments and more vehicles for better traffic management. They have also to apprehend traffic violators and runaway vehicles. A large number of cameras should be in-stalled for better traffic man. agreement. and to curb over speeding. They should also be able to frequently check tor drunken drivers with the help of breath analyzers, use the Global Satellite Positioning System (GSPS) for better traffic management and provide fast relief to accident victims. With increased man-power, the traffic police can supervise and station more con-stables at more intersections so that traffic discipline is maintained, reckless and over speeding driving is curbed and red signalsnot jumped except by the fire brigade, ambulance and police vehicles on emergency duty. Better technologically designed roads:

(2)Better quality roads should be developed and maintained which do not have potholes and encroachment. Safely measures should he provided at major turns to avoid head on collisions. We also need to erect a narrow barrier in the center of roads between opposite lanes so as to avoid overtaking or head on collisions. The traffic department should be equipped with more number of cranes, engineering personnel and necessary equipments.

(3) Traffic road signs a strategic points: To avoid frequent road accidents we need to educate drivers and install more number of traffic road signs and markers.

(4) Identification of accident prone roads spots: We must not only identify major accident spots from past accident records but also identify likely accidents spots and take suitable steps by making suitable changes there, by re-designing the place. For eg: making it a one-way if possible widening, putting warning signs 100 meter beforethose spots in English and Kannada, and wherever possible stationing traffic constables

(5)Development of bus stops/parking lots at suitable places: Develop bus stops/parking c( re lots at suitable locations with proper alignment. The BMTS and s mini busses should be asked to stop only at those spots as recklessly driven buses/ mini buses and improperly positioned vehicles can cause major traffic jams leading to accidents.

(6) Public awareness about road safety: We have to intensify and a start frequent public awareness campaigning to educate the public by issuing booklets. newspaper and TV adevertisements about road safety and road signs. Today we see people crossing roads haphazardly leading to accidents traffic sign boards crossings, develop more pedestrian crossings and subways to facilitate the smooth flow of pedestrian than traffic thus reducing accidents. Traffic wardens should also be appointed at district leve it School transport should be given it a special colour, like yellow.

(7) Ambulances relief vans and truama centers: Ambulances with first aid , paramedical staff should be stationed at strategic points in Bangalore, state highways and in districts. They should also be equipped with. modern communication facilities like GSPS to fore

I forewarn hospitals accident and trauma centers about the condition of accident victims and also to give first aid and emergency help to accidents victims and reach them to hospitals; trauma centers quickly. A large number I of accident trauma centers I should be established all over Karnataka.

(8) Curbing of overloading of vehicles: Overloading of commercial vehicles like mini buses, buses trucks and school autos is a major problem today. While negotiating turns or while over taking these overloaded vehicles meet with fatal accidents.

(9) Proper maintenance of oil vehicles: Old vehicles with improper lighting and bald tyres should be immediately banned. A compulsory fitness test should done by an independent authority is for all vehicles more than seven years old.

(10) Educate drivers about overtaking drunken driving: We should educate and warn drivers about overtaking/ drunken driving, especially youngsters. Drivers should be taught that overtaking should only be done when it is safe and from the right side only after showing the proper signal

(11) Use of helmets , for two wheelers: The government should make wearing of helmets compulsory for riders of two wheelers. Doctors agree that helmets can save lives as they protect the head to quite an extent.

(12) Developing reliable public transport system: Above all there is a urgent need to develop a reliable multi model public transport system: Above all there is a urgent need to develop a reliable multi model public transport system to meet the demands of the next 20 years. Bangalore city roads are not designed to carry the burden of 1.35 million vehicles which is ever in creasing due to non availability of reliable public transport.

Till a reliable public transport system is ready, we can put additional is ready, we can put additional semi luxury, point-to- point buses to meet the demand of corporate and individuals vehicle owners.

The Indian government’s move to bring stringent laws for traffic violation is a historic moment. It will surely arrest the rising graph of accidents and bring down fatalities if the proposed rules are implemented strictly with improved policing.

This is important in light of a sharp rise in the number of road accidents across the world. It was a shocking piece of news that appeared in Arab News that traffic accidents have killed 92,000 people in Saudi Arabia alone, in the last 16 years. (“Accidents kill 92,000 in 16 years.” (Aug. 11) India too has one of the highest numbers of road accidents in the world with half a million deaths ocurring annually, besides a greater number of injuries, causing paralysis in many cases.

Therefore the Indian government should not only limit the rules to heavy fines but go some steps further, like making driving licensing regime tougher, strict driving test, good driving schools to train new drivers, etc. National Highways Authority of India/state authorities should go for safety audit of accident spot and take appropriate measures by installing road signs, proper lighting on roads and supplemented by better accident and trauma services

Sir — Monday’s tragic accident in Punjab where 12 children died and an equal number were injured, has once again highlighted the risks road users, especially school-going children, are exposed to every day on account of poor safety standards and the flouting of traffic rules by errant and over-speeding drivers.

The need of the hour is to educate and create awareness among various stakeholders to obey traffic rules. It is our collective responsibility to ensure the safety of our school-going children at all cost.

Lack of respect for traffic laws has led to this mayhem on Indian roads. The traffic police should go all out after these traffic violators and penalize them heavily to bring discipline on roads.

I fully agree with Khalaf bin Mohammed Al-Mutlaq’s views on the use of mobile phones while driving. This problem is not unique to Saudi Arabia. In India, particularly in Bangalore — which is also known as the information technology (IT) capital of India — we face the same issue. The situation is even worse in Bangalore, as people riding motorbikes are also seen talking on their cell phones. I believe the use of mobile phones while driving is prohibited all across the world but people continue to flout rules with impunity. The reason is perhaps law-enforcers don’t take strict action against this practice. It is a very important issue and must be addressed on an urgent basis worldwide.

According to findings of a study available on the Internet, most accidents across the world take place due to the use of mobile phones while driving. It distracts a driver and result in fatal accidents. I urge authorities to take immediate action against people who use mobile phones while driving.

The accident involving a bus carrying school children was shocking. it was reported that the driver was drunk, which is an eye opener not only for the grief-stricken parents who send their children trusting the safety of these buses, but also the school management and police who are supposed to monitor them (31 deaths: Tipsy driver blamed, Dec 16). Unfortunately, this accident has left a 13 year old child dead and 15 others injured.

It is high time the authorities came up with stringent guidelines for an effective school transport service so that such accidents do not happen in future.

The Supreme Court's judgment in the drink driving case of Alistair Anthony Perspire needs wider attention as it clearly highlights that drunk drivers who cause accidents and grave injury or death cannot get away. This judgment will set a precedent and act as a deterrent. Seven people lost their lives because of Pereira's rash driving under the influence of liquor. Also, the SC has sent the right message that no matter how rich or 'well-connected' one might be, he/she cannot escape the clutches of law.

Pereira's appeal of quashing his three-year sentence was rejected rightly. Drivers such as Pereira deserve a harsh punishment, irrespective of their age or social status.

The judiciary should find a way to dispose off cases of drink driving quickly and should dole out strict punishment to the erring drivers. This is the most effective way to bring down the number of such cases.

Sir, The death of TDP politician and famous film star Nandamuri Hari krishna in road accident is very saddening. But it also sheds light on the issue of our dangerous roads. India accounts for more than 10% of all road accident deaths worldwide.

It is high time the government paid more attention to enforcement of road safety.

Sir, this refers to ‘man crushed to death between buses’(DH, April 25). Recently there has been a spurt in road accidents, especially by BMTC/KSRTC BUSES. The authorities concerned should show zero tolerance towards such behavior of drivers. Drivers tend to become careless and inconsiderate towards pedestrians and small vehicles plying on roads since their vehicles are stronger than others and also due to legal support from government agencies.

Sir, this refers to ‘man crushed to death between buses’(DH, April 25). Recently there has been a spurt in road accidents, especially by BMTC/KSRTC BUSES. The authorities concerned should show zero tolerance towards such behavior of drivers. Drivers tend to become careless and inconsiderate towards pedestrians and small vehicles plying on roads since their vehicles are stronger than others and also due to legal support from government agencies.

Sir, not a day passes without road accidents in and around Bangalore and other parts of Karnataka. The increasing number of accidents in mainly because of population explosion and the subsequent rise in the number of vehicles of all kinds. In the absence of reliable public transport system, people are forced to go in for two wheelers which, in turn has led to the violation of safety norms and accidents, in addition to air and noise pollution. It is reported that one out of every four children in Bangalore suffers from bronchitis because of air pollution.

It may not be proper to accuse two- wheeler riders alone for the accidents. Rash and negligent drivers of some of the The BMTC buses, auto rickshaws and trucks are also responsible for the malady. Our so-called licensed drivers apparently lack traffic since and also not fully trained. There are also no safe pedestrian crossing in many places.

I have a few suggestions to check the accident rate. The authorities should identify major accident spots and improve them in conformity with the latest civil, traffic and highway engineering specifications. Revamp the traffic signal system or with the latest technology to ease congestion at some points. There is need for an autonomous traffic institute to impart scientific training to . drivers by the Government Heavy vehicle drivers too need to undergo a refresher course for a week, every Five years, with a medical test.

Private Companies should engage only fully trained drivers. The licensing system should be tightened in India as in the Gulf where the applicants for licenses have to undergo five rigorous tests. The authorities should scrupulously enforce the rig Motor Vehicles Act. Recalcitrant and rash drivers should be punished with spot fines, withdrawal of license, etc.

In City limits, heavy vehicles " should be banned except during specific hours. The Outer Ring Road (ORR) should be expedited., We need safe pedestrian crossings, sub-ways, better street lighting and proper at barricading of roads. The media should also play an effective role in creating awareness on traffic safety among the people.

It was horrific to read the news story about the bus driver killing nine people in Pune, published in KT on Jan 26. The enraged bus driver belonging to MSRTS went berserk crushing several cars while driving his vehicle over pedestrians in a crowded market at high speed, killing at least 9 and injuring 27.

This heart rendering tragedy was without any parallel the worst ever incident in recent times in India. This incident should be a wake up call and it demands that the authorities implement measures to ensure that such incidents are not repeated. We need to take such incidents very seriously. All these big public utilities like State Road Transport corporations need to ascertain mental conditions of their staff, especially drivers. Regular medical check ups to diagnose any medical problem are needed. Those affected need to be given medical treatment from a qualified psychiatrist. Such situations can arise due to overwork, family problems or professional hazards.

A mental issue may occur because of chemical imbalance which if not treated would trigger off mental imbalance. Many a times, misconception triggers off a psychopathic reaction in an already mentally disturbed person. As reported this driver had a confirmed psychiatric problem.

Sir — While murders become sensationalized in India, deaths by road accidents are not taken seriously enough either by the media or by the authorities. The media should sensitize the public about road safety and help in reducing accidents.

The death of the Union cabinet minister, Gopinath Munde, in a car crash in the capital has brought into focus the alarming rise in the number of road fatalities. Poor road infrastructure is not the only cause behind accidents. Automobile manufacturing plants in India continue to sell vehicles that barely meet global safety standards. Safety features, which should be in-built, like air bags, seat belts in the front and back seats, and child seats, are provided only as optional accessories.

Carrying out nationwide road safety programme is one way to deal with this problem. The setting of high standards for obtaining driving licences, opening of good driving schools, incorporating safety features in cars and adhering to traffic rules are other ways to prevent road accidents. Ageing vehicles, corruption that results in driving licences being issued to undeserving candidates, overloading, reckless and drunken driving, poor illumination on the roads, and lack of deterrents in the enforcement of road safety rules have made our country home to 10 per cent of road accidents worldwide.

Another problem that compromises road safety is the common habit of drivers and even of motorcyclists to talk on the phone while at the wheel. It is time the government wakes up to this problem and takes actions to prevent our roads from turning into death-traps.

Sir -The death of TDP leader Yerran Naidu in a traffic accident, only days after satirist Jaspal Bhatti and journalist Amrita Chaudhry also lost their lives on the road, has brought to fore the issue of road safety.

India accounted for more than 10 per cent of all road accident deaths worldwide in 2011 alone. Drunk driving is one of the main causes for this, but there are other factors as well, such as sloppy traffic administration, poor roads and corruption among traffic cops.

It is time India paid greater attention to this grave issued.

Sir, The buoyant economy has created a spurt in sale of vehicles and it augurs well for the industry. But the negative aspect is that it has also led to an increase in fatal road accidents. Today India has the dubious distinction of having the most number of road accidents after China. Unfortunately, successive Governments have failed to address.

The number of people killed in road accidents as gone up from . 15,000 in 1970 to 85,000 today and the number of those wounded and disabled is twice the fatality rate. In Bangalore alone, 833 people were killed and 5899 injured in 2005 . India accounts for 10 percent of world-wide fatalities and the loss by way of way of earnings lost and medical cost is a whopping Rs 55,000 crore, which translates into 3 percent our GDP.

Considering the enormity of the problem; there Li an imperative need to set up a unified authority like the National Road Safety Board on the lines of the one in the USA and central/ State pollution boards independent of NHAI and State Road. Construction Corporations. This authorial should be powered to define policies and standardize road safety designs, norms for road maintenance, inspect condition of vehicles, advise on traffic management and highway patrol’s, set up training standard for driving schools, investigate and analyze major road accidents scientifically and suggest better road safety measures to prevent further road accidents.

Also, stiffer penalties are needed to prevent rash and drunken driving.

This is with reference to the March 16 article about the sad death of young architectural student Sushmita Patil in a road accident. Today the major causes of road accidents are negligent and rash driving especially among youngsters, hence parents, educational institutes and social organisations should council their children who are behind the wheels or driving about the danger posed by negligent and rash driving.

The police should rigidly enforce traffic rules and deploy more number of police personnel on outer roads to stop these rash driving by youngsters. Also stationing more ambulances on these outer roads can help save lives.

This is with reference to the March 16 article about the sad death of young architectural student Sushmita Patil in a road accident. Today the major causes of road accidents are negligent and rash driving especially among youngsters, hence parents, educational institutes and social organisations should council their children who are behind the wheels or driving about the danger posed by negligent and rash driving.

The police should rigidly enforce traffic rules and deploy more number of police personnel on outer roads to stop these rash driving by youngsters. Also stationing more ambulances on these outer roads can help save lives.

Sir, I was extremely shocked by the tragic death of four pedestrians in Indira Nagar on Saturday (Missing footpaths, rising mishaps, Jan. 26). In fact, this is a replay of the Delhi BMW hit-and-run case where the driver ran away leaving behind his vehicle at the accident spot instead of rushing the victims to hospital. Today, murders are sensationalized but deaths in road accidents have not been taken seriously by the media and th6 government. The city lacks safe pedestrian crossings and foot-paths. Huge funds are spent on high budgeted projects like road widening, asphalting, construction of underpasses and flyovers but the problems of pedestrians are not addressed effectively.

It is time for the authorities to look into the matter and construct under-passes, footpaths and pedestrian crossings and save the lives of people.

We hear about fatal road accidents involving multiple deaths . every other day. Unless highway traffic rules are strictly enforced, . we will continue to see accidents . even if we develop new eight-lane expressways. Authorities must . study accidents patterns on high-. ways and take remedial measures i like employing more mobile traffic police personnel, confiscating over-speeding vehicles and locating spots where accidents happen frequently and improving them with better road engineering.

Steps like developing pedestrian crossings, better illumination, safety awareness programmers, billboards advocating safe driving etc can all help reduce the tuber of crashes.

The accident near Chitradurga is a cause for grave concern. It is negligent driving that took the lives of 30 poor construction workers who were on their way to Bangalore. Of late quite a few KSRTC/BMTC buses have been involved in accidents.

The government, which is spending huge money on improving public transport must employ experienced an responsible drivers.

Sir,Buoyancy in Indian Economy has led to spurt in Vehicle’s sales in the country and this augurs well for industry but it has led to spurt in fatal road accidents across the country. Bangalore alone has about 5-6 millions vehicles on roads,Today India has dubious distinction of having highest road accidents after China. Unfortunately, successive governments have failed to address to this crucial road safety factor. The number of people killed in road accidents have gone up from 15000 in 1970 to 85000 today and number of person wounded and disabled are twice the fatality data. , India accounts for 10% of worldwide fatalities at whooping cost of Rs 55,000 crores which translate into 3% of our GDP by way of loss of earning, medical cost etc as it is seen most of fatalities is young earning members and this is large economic loss to nation.

Unfortunately we have not kept pace with increasing roads infrastructure , i have few suggestions which may reduce accidents,

(i)Major causes of these accidents are the fact that traffic rules are not rigidly enforced, and hence deploy more number of police personnel on roads to enforce traffic rules .
(ii) Licensing authority should carry out rigid driving test,
(iii)Use of mobile phone should be strictly No-No.
(iv) above all increase in public transport to reduce vehicles on roads
(v) safety audit of accidents prone points should be carried out.
Above all media should more vigorously highlight about road accidents

Important The major cause of accidents is the fact that traffic rules are not rigidly enforced. Certain important steps should be taken immediately to reduce accidents. Licensing authority should carry out strict driving tests. Traffic police should strictly enforce traffic rules on helmet, Seat belt and No use of mobile and safety for pedestrians. If we can arrange to send Road accidents victims within golden period of one hour to specialize Trauma Centre by well equipped ambulances, 25-35% accident victims can be saved.

There are numerous instances of two-wheeler riders succumbing to head injuries (Helmet rider take the heat April 25) which could have been avoided if they had taken care to wear a helmet. It may be difficult to wear a helmet in the scorching heat but this does not mean that people can put their lives at risk.

The payment of a fine coupled with an awareness campaign on the dangers of riding without headgear, will go a long way in reducing head injuries which are the biggest cause of deaths on the road.

This is apropos of the Deccan Herald Editorial dated 5th Dec 2009 ''Blood on Roads". While a murder becomes sensationalized, death in road accidents is not taken seriously by either media or by authorities. It is published by Media in just a casual manner. Media should sensitize the public on road safety and help in reducing road accidents.

Deadly road accidents have become common in Indian roads Last year(2008) in India 1,14,000 people died on road accidents which are often caused by aging vehicles, overloading, reckless , drunken and ill trained drivers, badly maintained Roads without proper illumination.

The major cause of accidents is the fact that traffic rules are not rigidly enforced. Certain important steps should be taken immediately to reduce accidents. Licensing authority should carry out strict driving tests. Traffic police should strictly enforce traffic rules on helmet, Seat belt and No use of mobile and safety for pedestrians.

If we can arrange to send Road accidents victims within golden period of one hour to specialize Trauma Centre by well equipped ambulances, 25-35% accident victims can be saved.

Sir,This refer to Man crushed to death between buses(DH April 25). Recently there has been a spurt in road accidents, especially by BMTC/KSRTC buses.

The Authorities concerned should show zero tolerance towards such behaviour of drivers. Drivers tend to become careless and inconsiderate towards pedestrians and small vehicles plying on roads since their vehicles are stronger than others and also due to legal support from governmnet agencies.

This has reference to ‘Jail term, higher fines for traffic law offenders’ (March 2). It’s a commendable move by the government to amend the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) and bring in stringent provisions of tough penalties for traffic violators.

Due to lack of tough laws the road accident trajectory in the country has been shooting up and showing no signs of descent. The existing measures have not worked as an effective deterrent against erring drivers. The proposed amendments of steep enhancement of fine and quantum of punishment for traffic violators, which covers drunken driving, speeding, not wearing helmet and seat belts and use of mobile phones while driving, should result in better traffic management in the country. However, these amendments may not act as deterrent for those who do not have any trouble paying such fines and getting bail.

The government should make the procedure for issuing a driving license stringent and enhance compensation from Rs one lakh to Rs two lakh in hit and run cases. The media and social organisations also need to create awareness in the society regarding safe driving.

Sir, Apropos "Motor Vehicles Act amendment vital" (DH, Aug 11). The move by the Centre to amend the MVA with stringent laws for traffic violation will go a long way in arresting the trend of rising accidents, provided the rules are implemented strictly with improved policing. But, the government must go beyond heavy fines and introduce a tough driving licence test and good driving schools.

The NHAI and state authorities should also do a safety audit of accident spots and take appropriate measures by installing road signs, proper lighting and supplement them with better accident and trauma services.

Sir - The proposed amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act that aim to make punishment for violating traffic rules more stringent are welcome. Along with strict policing, this move will go a long way in arresting the rise in the number of accidents and fatalities.

The government should ensure that people cannot get driving licences easily. Driving schools should train their students well, and driving.