ISLAMABAD: The ministry of communications is working on a comprehensive road safety plan to control accidents and save precious lives, said Communications Secretary Khalid Masood Chaudhary here on Monday.
The top official of the ministry was chairing a meeting of the national steering committee on road safety at the National Highway Authority headquarters.
The meeting was held to review the National Road Safety Plan with the main emphasis on reducing accidents on national highways.
Inspector General of National Highways & Motorway Police Shaukat Hayat, senior officers of NHA, and representatives from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police, transport department of Punjab and other relevant ministries and departments attended the meeting.
Masood Chaudhary said the National Road Safety Plan would be finalised with the consultation of all other stakeholders before its submission to the competent authority for approval.
He told the participants that controlling road accidents was a big challenge that required meticulous planning and strict implementation. He emphasised that cooperation from all other relevant stakeholders was essential for successful implementation of the new plan. He stressed the need for a coordinated communications network along national highways and motorways so that immediate help could be ensured for the injured in case of an accident.
A detailed presentation highlighting salient features of road safety, including national road safety action plan with provision of a consistent safe road environment, enhanced safety at road work sites was also given to the participants.
Issues like funding for road safety, national road safety action plan, road planning, designs and maintenance meeting safety needs of road users, provision of a consistent safe road environment, enhanced safety at road work sites, eliminating hazardous road locations, checking overloading, ensuring vehicles insurance, increasing awareness about risks, drivers licensing, training and establishing trauma centres were also discussed in the meeting.
Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2016
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