Dharamsala: In an effort to reduce the
number of road accidents in the hill state, primarily due to
"human error", the Himachal Pradesh government is
contemplating to install GPS (Global Positioning System) in
state-run and private buses.
"The government is actively considering on this
(installing GPS)", state transport minister Mohinder Singh
told the state assembly.
Making a statement in the House on the opening day of
six-day long winter session, transport minister said enquiries
in past accidents in the state have highlighted that maximum
accidents are caused due to human errors and not by
mechanical faults.
He identified over-speeding, overloading and use of
mobile phone by drivers while plying vehicles as factors for
road mishaps.
The state government has taken several measures including
ban on use of mobile phone and playing CD, DVD and audio
cassettes while driving, he said.
Special drive has been launched to remove CD player,
cassette, tape recorder and DVD from vehicles, which is a
major source of "distraction", he added.
The transport minister said that in a bid to involve
common people in drive against erring drivers, the government
is contemplating to provide a reward ranging from Rs 50 to Rs
500 to person, who provide such information on a toll free
number.
This reward will be given under road safety scheme, 2004
he said adding the training period has been increased from
30 days to 60 days for acquiring driving license for buses or
trucks.
According to reports more than 850 persons have died due
to road accidents in HP so far in this year. On the snowstorm
death, he said that due to efforts of the rescue team, 65
persons of the group were brought to Manali side safely and
provided medical treatment.
PTI
