Observing that a family would be "ruined" on losing its bread-winner in road accidents, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said such "man-made disasters" can be prevented if traffic rules are followed and public transport system is strengthened.
Referring to the odd-even number system implemented by the AAP government in the national capital, Fadnavis said majority of Mumbai denizens anyway prefer the public transport system, which should be strengthened.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating Road Safety Week here, he referred to jokes about odd-even system, and added he had heard that a new flourishing business in Delhi was selling number plates with changeable numbers.
"Road safety should become a way of life since childhood so that burden on the traffic cops is reduced," he said.
"Even if you keep building new roads they will always fall short for private vehicles. Focus should be on strengthening public transport system, so that maximum number of people are able to use it safely."
A number of initiatives were announced by traffic police for road safety on the occasion. It includes Alco Booth system where a machine will installed at bars in the city where people can check their liquor consumption level before leaving the place and driving off.
E-challan system will be introduced whereby traffic offenders will pay fine through debit/credit card instead of cash.
Police will also introduce Red Light Violation Detection Camera to catch signal-jumpers automatically; the system will generate e-challans. Speed cameras too will be installed.
The police also plan to introduce Android-based helpline app.
