Road safety experts pitch for dedicated lanes for 2-wheelers

Speaking at a seminar on road safety, Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE) President Rohit Baluja said that the authorities should consider a separate ane for two-wheelers as it will ensure safety of drivers.

"What needs to be done is have dedicated driving lanes for them which are missing and strict enforcement. This will help in rider safety and avoid crashes as they are the most vulnerable road users along with pedestrians," Baluja said.

He said India needs to create its own vehicular safety systems instead of copying others.

Society of Indian Automobiles Manufacturers (SIAM) executive director Prashant K Banerjee said India accounts for the highest road fatalities in the world.

Despite passenger vehicles adhering to best safety norms and having ultra-modern safety features installed, there is a dire lack of holistic enforcement procedures, a level-playing field and awareness amongst consumers regarding safer mobility, Banerjee added.

International Road Federation (IRF) president emeritus K K Kapila said safe technological systems including ABS brakes for all two-wheelers cannot be ignored.

Kapila also stressed on the need mandating airbags for two-wheelers and the helmets which do not allow a vehicle to start till worn.

Two-wheelers constitute 74 per cent of the vehicular traffic in the country but while developing road infrastructure and making traffic engineering norms they are ignored and no segregation is done for them.