West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today voiced her concern over the rising number of road accidents in the state and country and called for modifying traffic rules and stricter action against the violators.
"Road accidents have become a daily affair these days and people got so used to it. It's not that everybody violates rules but several suffer when one does the same," Banerjee said while launching a state-wide drive, "Safe Drive, Save Life," here.
The campaign aimed at curbing road accidents and introducing better traffic measures.
"I believe that there must be stricter to strictest punishment (for those violating traffic rules). Lawlessness cannot be allowed. I believe the traffic rules must be modified," Banerjee said at the programme in Nazrul Manch, the state-run auditorium.
Stating that the Motor Vehicle Act does not give provision to deal with every traffic problem in the state, Banerjee said Bengal should have its own Act and framed rules and regulations to deal with the traffic problem.
"Motor vehicle laws are framed by the Centre. I believe that states must also have the power to make such laws. We will raise the issue of road safety in Parliament... We will not allow interference in the federal structure. I have every right to take care (of traffic in the state)... I think state must have an Act. And following the constitutional structure the rules will be prepared," she said.
Criticising that youths indulge in motorbike racing at night on flyovers in the city and that lead to several fatal accidents, Banerjee directed police not to allow bikers ride the Maa flyover and AJC Bose flyover after 10 PM.
"Do not allow them ride the flyovers after 10PM. Even in cases of emergency they (bikers) must take the roads instead of the flyovers," she said.
Praising the Kolkata Traffic Police for an "improved signalling system" in the city the Chief Minister also directed to make it mandatory for bikers to buy helmets while purchasing two-wheelers.
"Overloading and rough driving will not be allowed.
Wearing helmets must be made mandatory and buying helmets must be made compulsory when someone is purchasing a bike," she said, adding that the government would also help bikers buying helmets at reasonable price.
She further questioned why so many accidents were taking place despite installations of several CCTVs all around the state.
"We have to buy and install more CCTVs to monitor road safety. There must be CCTVs on the National Highways because accidents are high there. And I will ask the Chief Secretary to set up a fund for the purpose," she stressed.
And for vehicles from other states, there should be one registration fee, she said.
"This will not only help us monitor the vehicles' movements but also help in our economy besides, keeping a tab on whether they are here for any crime or not," she said.
Banerjee said a state-wide "monitoring committee" should be set up to keep a tab on the traffic system.
She also praised Howrah Police Commissioner DP Singh's role in improving Satragachi flyover.
She also stated "there were no difference between the Kolkata Police and the Bengal Police and both are part of the state government's family".
Banerjee further observed that "better traffic system will help in curbing crimes in the state as most criminals escape taking the road route".
She also directed of including chapters on the "Safe Drive, Save Life," initiative compulsory in schools and colleges.
The main idea behind the "Safe Drive, Save Life" initiative is to bring down the number of accidents that take place almost every day due to reckless driving.
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Meanwhile, later in the evening, Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar issued an order directing all petrol pumps in the city not to sell oil to bikers arriving without helmets.
The instruction would be implemented from tomorrow at petrol pumps in the city, as per the order of Kumar.
