Latest news with #InstituteofRoadTrafficEducation
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Time of India
Hit, run, repeat: 200 lives lost in 4 months in Delhi
NEW DELHI: The mowing down of a security guard by an SUV driver near Mahipalpur flyover on Sunday has brought the number of hit-and-run cases in Delhi this year to a staggering 503. Nearly 200 people were killed in these incidents - an average of 11 lives lost each week. Since 2023, about 1,500 people have lost their lives in hit-and-run cases across the national capital, revealed Delhi Police data. While 666 people were killed in 2023, the toll stood at 644 in 2024 and 190 till April 30, 2025. The data also showed that on a daily average, two persons were killed in 1,481 fatal crashes. A total of 2,810 people were injured in the incidents since 2023 - an average of three people daily. While 1,275 people were injured in 2023, next year saw 1,121 injuries. Operation Sindoor Air siren warning sounded in Chandigarh, residents advised to stay indoors J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan on high alert after Pak's failed drone attacks Conflict widens, India targets Lahore, Pindi, Karachi after foiling multiple Pakistani attacks So far this year, 414 people have been injured. According to police, there are several factors behind hit-and-runs. The most common is speeding, where drivers tend to lose control of the vehicle. Other causes include drunk driving and using mobile phones. "In hit-and-run cases, the drivers often do not stop, thinking they won't get caught or that no one would notice their vehicle number. Some also believe stopping could lead to them being beaten up," a senior police officer said. Most of the victims in hit-and-run cases were pedestrians - 343 were killed in 2023; 309 in 2024; and 92 in 2025. This was followed by two-wheeler riders, with 270 fatalities in 2023, 288 in 2024, and 88 this year. According to police, pedestrians are the most vulnerable due to various factors. These include attempting to cross busy roads quickly, speeding by vehicles, and lack of accessible foot-over bridges, leading them to cross roads directly. Jaywalking and mobile phone distraction while walking also add to the risk. Two-wheelers remain vulnerable due to the absence of dedicated lanes and riders taking shortcuts, which can lead to accidents. Special commissioner of police (traffic) Ajay Chaudhry said the department consistently organises awareness programmes aimed at educating road users and promoting safer driving habits in order to reduce the number of road accidents. Regular enforcement actions are carried out against people violating traffic rules, particularly those engaging in high-speed driving, drunk driving and other serious offences, he added. Rohit Baluja, president, Institute of Road Traffic Education, said drivers lack awareness of the legal consequences of hit-and-run cases, which needs to be addressed. He emphasised the importance of forensic analysis in solving such cases. He also suggested public awareness campaigns to encourage people to report hit-and-run incidents and, if possible, take photos of the offending vehicles. Baluja noted the absence of pedestrian pathways and encroachment of footpaths, which forces pedestrians to cross busy roads and leaves them vulnerable. For two-wheelers, the lack of dedicated lanes means they have to navigate heavy traffic, increasing risk of accidents, he added.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Incorrect signage at city crossings causes confusion
Jaipur: They tell you to read the signs. But what happens when the signs are wrong. At JDA circle, a STOP sign is at the edge of the crossing, which, as per rules, is not permissible on a crossing with traffic signals. Motorists here are faced with the STOP sign as well as the traffic light. Which signal should they follow? Rohit Baluja, president of Institute of Road Traffic Education, has worked with different traffic authorities in Jaipur. He told TOI this issue involves a legal aspect. "Just like violating a signal may lead to motorists being booked under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicle Act, violating this STOP sign would attract the same section. In Jaipur, the authorities have simply put these signages on the important crossings. Many signages in Jaipur are wrongly placed," he said. Several traffic signages and road markings in Jaipur are faulty and may lead to traffic violations and even accidents without motorists being at fault. These signs deviate from India Road Congress standards in terms of their dimensions, shapes, colours, and placement locations. Experts point out that despite multiple attempts to bring this matter to JDA's attention, the officials there were unresponsive to their appeals and submissions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo "Most signages on Jaipur roads are in complete violation of Indian Road Congress mandates. We raised this issue at least twice during the traffic control board meeting of Jaipur Development Authority and even submitted written complaints. But, without any effect," said Neha Khullar, project director of Muskan, an NGO working on road safety. According to Section 67 (2022) of Indian Road Congress mandate, signages shall be rectangular with a blue background. On Jaipur roads, though, signages are displayed on rectangular boards with a yellow background within a circle having red borders. "Another problem is with the U-turn boards. Authorities have installed several U-turn signages on the pavements along the left side of the flank. If you intend to take a right turn from a crossing or a cut, you need to keep right. How do you expect motorists to read such signages installed on your extreme left?" asked Vikash Jaiswal, a resident of Vidhyadhar Nagar. Officials of JDA stated that separate zones recruit separate vendors to install traffic signages in the city. If there is any mistake committed, it has perhaps been committed by these vendors. "We can't conclusively state that all traffic signages are wrong or all are right. Whenever we get specific information, we verify the fact and change the signage if required," a JDA official said.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Safety first: Govt mulls mandatory ABS for all two-wheelers above 50cc
Representative image NEW DELHI: Government is considering making anti-lock braking systems (ABS) mandatory for all two-wheelers with engine capacity above 50cc. At present, ABS is only required in motorcycles over 125cc. This safety feature helps prevent wheel lock-up during sudden braking, enhancing control and reducing stopping distances, especially on slippery roads. Experts from India and abroad have emphasised the need for this provision, in addition to the mandatory wearing of helmets for all two-wheeler occupants — which is currently enforced, to reduce deaths and serious injuries. Two-wheeler riders are among the most vulnerable road users after pedestrians and cyclists, as they have little to no protection. 'Since ABS has been a successful intervention to reduce the risk of road crashes and fatalities involving two-wheelers and fatalities, this should be a feature in all motorised two-wheelers above 50cc,' said David Ward of Global New Car Assessment Programme at a conference on 'Vehicle and Fleet Safety' at the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE). Safe technological systems, including ABS for all two-wheelers, cannot be ignored, he added. Road safety expert Rohit Baluja highlighted the need to include two-wheelers in transport planning since they constitute 74% of all vehicles in India and 44% people killed on roads are two-wheeler occupants. 'Today, we only talk about putting helmets on two-wheeler riders. Is the helmet the only answer? Has anyone spoken about the transportation planning to reduce the number of these two-wheelers in the country? Two-wheelers are sandwiched between other vehicles due to poor traffic and transport planning... Powered two-wheelers destroy road discipline of all users and there is a need to address their requirement while planning and building roads,' Baluja said. He added that there is a need to have dedicated driving lanes for two-wheelers. President emeritus of International Road Federation, K K Kapila, said two-wheelers are the lifeline of major cities, despite improvement in public transport, and the only solution is to find ways and means to make them safe with use of technology.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Experts call for dedicated two-wheeler lanes, stricter traffic law enforcement
New Delhi: Road safety experts on Friday emphasised the need for dedicated lanes for two-wheelers and stricter enforcement of traffic laws to enhance rider safety and reduce accidents. Addressing an event here, Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE) President Rohit Baluja said electric two-wheelers are about 44 per cent of the total two-wheelers in the country. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Pakistan suspends Simla pact: What it means & who's affected What is India's defence muscle if it ever has to attack? Can Pakistan afford a full-scale war with India? "What needs to be done is have dedicated driving lanes for them, this will help in rider safety and avoid crashes as they are the most vulnerable road users along with pedestrians," he said. Baluja said India accounts for the highest number of fatal road accidents with 4.8 lakh road crashes each year resulting in 1.8 lakh deaths. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo The government's top priorities are road safety, expansion of safe highways, vehicle safety, and bolstering electric vehicles, he added. International Road Federation(IRF) president Emeritus K K Kapila said two-wheelers are the lifeline of major cities in the country, despite improvements in public transport. Live Events The only solution is to find ways and means to make them safe through the use of technology, Kapila added. Hero Motocorp Ltd Executive Advisor Harjeet Singh said most two-wheeler riders know that flouting traffic rules can lead to accidents, they still choose to violate rules. What is needed, he stressed, is a change in mindset, better education, and strict enforcement of traffic laws.
NDTV
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- NDTV
Trucks To Soon Undergo Bharat NCAP Inspired Safety Assessment: Gadkari
New Delhi: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is planning to launch safety assessment rating for trucks and heavy commercial vehicles on the lines of Bharat NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme), the country's own crash testing programme, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday. Addressing an event organised by the New Car Assessment Program (GNCAP) and the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE), Gadkari said the idea is to encourage manufacturers to improve the production quality making vehicles more safe. The road transport and highways minister further said the government is already working on standards and safety assessment system for battery-operated e-rickshaw's in the country as they suffer from safety issues. Also Read - River EV Achieves Rs 100 Crore Revenue, 1000 Monthly Unit Sales Milestone The safety improvement in e-rickshaws will improve their quality and generate more employment, he added. In 2023, Gadkari had launched the Bharat NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme), which is aimed at improving at road safety standards of motors vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. He said India accounts for the highest number of fatal road accidents with 4.8 lakh road crashes each year resulting in 1.8 lakh deaths. The government's top priority is road safety, expansion of safe highways and vehicle safety and bolstering electric vehicles, Gadkari added. Also Read - River EV Achieves Rs 100 Crore Revenue, 1000 Monthly Unit Sales Milestone He said the government is also working on reducing logistics cost to 9 per cent in the next couple of years from the present 14-16 per cent. Gadkari also said the road ministry is also working on a law to determine the working hours for truck drivers as they drive 13-14 hours a day at present. PTI BKS TRB
