Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chaired a meeting of the State Road Safety Council on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, to discuss and implement crucial measures aimed at improving road safety across the state. The CM emphasized the importance of proactive steps by all relevant departments to ensure effective road safety initiatives.
Statewide Awareness Campaigns
The Chief Minister announced that awareness programs on road safety rules will be conducted in all schools and colleges from January 6 to 10, 2025. These sessions aim to educate students about essential road safety practices. Adityanath stated that the initiative will extend beyond Lucknow and cover all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh.
Monthly and Quarterly Reviews
Adityanath directed that district-level road safety committee meetings should be held monthly, involving district magistrates, police officials, Regional Transport Officers (RTOs), Public Works Department (PWD) representatives, and other relevant authorities. Additionally, a quarterly review of progress will be conducted at the state level to evaluate and enhance measures to reduce road accidents.
Combating Road Accidents
Highlighting the gravity of road accidents, which claim 23,000 to 25,000 lives annually in Uttar Pradesh, the Chief Minister stressed the need for stringent action against minors operating e-rickshaws and mandated the registration of such vehicles.
He also instructed departments to:
- Install mandatory road signage across highways and major roads.
- Curb overloading of vehicles.
- Promote compliance with safety measures, such as wearing helmets and seat belts.
- Implement a policy to revoke licenses and permits for repeat traffic violations, integrating this with the FASTag system for better tracking.
Community Involvement in Road Safety
The Chief Minister proposed setting up Road Safety Clubs in schools and colleges. These clubs will use plays, poetry, and seminars to educate students on traffic rules.
Adityanath also urged the public to act responsibly during accidents, emphasizing the importance of assisting injured individuals during the critical “Golden Hour” by transporting them to the nearest hospital or trauma center. He directed authorities to minimize ambulance response times for emergencies.
High-Level Participation
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Urban Development Minister A.K. Sharma, Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh, Basic Education Minister Sandeep Singh, and senior officials from various departments.
The CM’s comprehensive plan underscores a determined approach to making Uttar Pradesh’s roads safer for its citizens, aiming to significantly reduce fatalities and improve traffic management across the state.
