Finance
In an effort to reduce road deaths, the Odisha State Transport Authority (STA) has urged all Regional Transport Officers (RTO) in each district to maintain severe enforcement measures throughout December.
Because of the high number of fatalities caused by fog and other weather conditions in December, the STA has decided to maintain enforcement.
According to the order, throughout the entire month of December 2023, strict enforcement on drunken driving, juvenile offenses, helmetless driving, driving at excessive speeds, using a mobile phone while driving, wrong side driving, and overloading in goods transportation will be carried out.
The STA asked the RTOs to notify the Commissioner’s office if they needed any additional assistance or support, such as additional vehicles for patrolling or police assistance to increase enforcement actions.
The Authority further requested that a thorough plan be developed in cooperation with the Collector and the Superintendent of Police in order to carry out the aforementioned enforcement.
“As you know most of the accidents and fatalities have been reported due to rash and negligence driving, over speeding, drunken driving and hitting against parked/abandoned vehicles, special emphasis shall be given on these matters to prevent accidents and fatalities. The detailed action plan taken at your level must be submitted to this office and also the result of the drive shall be submitted to this office,” the letter read.
Encouraged by the good results of the Zero Fatality Week held in April of this year, the State Commerce and Transportation Department held the week again from December 1 to 7. According to authorities, traffic accident fatalities have decreased by 28.6 percent since April’s zero-fatality week.
