‘Encroachments lead to road mishaps’

New Delhi: A draft policy on road safety, placed in the public domain by the Delhi government’s transport department, has identified encroachments as one of the reasons behind road accidents and has called for the recognition of rights of pedestrians. The policy also calls for protecting and rewarding those helping road accident victims and taking them to hospital.

The objections and suggestions of the stakeholders will be received for a month on the notified draft, following which necessary changes will be made and it will be sent to the lieutenant governor for approval, an official of the transport department said.

The draft policy states, “The Delhi government will bring into effect a non-motorised transport policy to specifically recognise the rights of non-motorised road users who are disproportionately from the poor sections of the society and will provide for dedicated resources and a policy framework to ensure a safe accessible road system network for them.”

Encroachments on roads, pathways and pedestrian paths have become one of the reasons for road accidents and congestion, it says.

“In order to provide safety for vulnerable road users, removal of encroachment on roads and pathways will be strictly enforced and building pedestrians pathways and bicycle lane in selected areas will be ensured,” it states.

The draft policy has directed the government for removal of encroachments and obstructions affecting the full use of roads and particularly use of pedestrian pathways.

In its recommendations for road accident victims, the policy has called for implementation of cashless treatment for 48 hours in trauma care centres along national and state highways.

It has also recommended placing ambulances at specified distances on highways between two identified trauma care units. The policy seeks specific legislation from the city government to protect Good Samaritans helping road accident victims.

Pointing that a large number of accident victims do not achieve access to medical care within one hour of the accident, it asks the government to come up with an award scheme for those vehicle owners who carry victims of road accidents to hospitals.