Experts at a panel discussion on Gujarat's ability to meet the road safety target by mid- 2020 said that the state needs to fully implement the enforcement related provision of the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act in the coming months if it is to achieve the same.
The experts said that there was a need to pay attention to a host of problems including road design, need for data, enforcement and innovative approaches to reduce accidents.
Dr Pravin Kanabar of the Ahmedabad Traffic Consultative Committee said that the target to reduce fatalities by half by 2020 is just a dream and doesn't seem to be achievable. "It is sad that Gujarat has reduced the penalties and even gave extensions for several rules including helmet. We need to create awareness. Putting on a helmet is of no use if you won't buckle it," said Kanabar. He said the government had in a long time shown the political will to address the problem and within days of implementing the Act has gone on to dilute it by giving extensions and reducing penalties.
Akash Patel, ACP, Ahmedabad Traffic police said that enforcement plays a large role in reducing accidents and fatalities. "When the Act was implemented the first two days saw tremendous response and people adhered to the rules. A hefty fine is what they feared and since they knew it will be enforced well, most chose to follow the rules," said Patel.
Kartikeya Sarabhai, Director, CEE said that the option chosen by the Gujarat government to implement the amended Act in a phased manner has both benefits and drawbacks. "Every accident is unique. We need database on it. As of now we know why a fatality happened but we don't know what other factors have contributed to it. For example a fatality happened because the person was not wearing a seat belt. But do we know whether the vehicle that hit him was speeding or not or whether the road at that time was slippery or not," said Sarabhai.
He said there is also a need to look at India specific solutions. Abhijit Lokre, founder The Urban Lab said that design of a street is a critical element in reducing fatalities. "The one thing that is grossly missing in our planning is road safety audits. The Act should make it mandatory and it will go a long way in preventing accidents," he said He also added that while funds were invested generously in setting up new infrastructure the same enthusiasm was not shown in maintaining the same.
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 "Gujarat-Discussion over road safety")
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