West Bengal to introduce new laws for road safety

To improve road safety, the West Bengal government today announced a slew of measures including bringing in two new laws, marking dedicated corridors for buses and strict action against offenders.
After a meeting with senior ministers, transport department and police officials, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said a new law will be framed with the help of police and another by transport department for road safety.
Regional Transport Office (RTOs) will be removed gradually and replaced with a new state road safety authority whose chairman will be the state chief secretary.
Police, PWD, urban development and panchayat ministries will be members of the new body.

A bill on public safety and development will soon be brought in the assembly, Banerjee said.
The government has already been running a big 'Safe Drive Safe Life' campaign across the state to create awareness about road safety.

The chief minister said they have also decided to install speed guns, watch towers, CCTV cameras besides separate lanes for bikes and buses.
"A green corridor has already been constructed in Santragachi which proves that we can manage it within a small space also. It is now a model," Banerjee said, adding that clean corridors will also be formed for emergency situations.

She cautioned that driving license of offenders may be cancelled if traffic rules are violated more than three times.
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The government will take a tough stand against all those who drink and drive.
In case of accident, the criminal offence will now be dealt with separately so that the victim gets compensation without hassles, Banerjee said.
To solve parking woes as the number of private cars shoot up in the metropolis, she said new parkomats will be constructed in the city where even the police vehicles are often seen parked on the roadside.
After violating traffic rules three times, license can be cancelled while the route permit of private vehicles will be liable to be cancelled under the new rules.

"We will have to take strict steps. Everyone must follow traffic rules," the CM said adding that an additional cess will be imposed on new registration of motor vehicles.
She also stressed on the traffic safety rule of wearing helmets saying they have asked dealers to give helmets to all those buy new vehicles.
The chief minister pointed out that at many places construction materials are kept on the road which affects the flow of traffic.
The government will also ask NHAI to ensure safety aspects while constructing toll plazas along national highways.