Drivers will receive voice and visual notifications about future accident-prone zones, speed breakers, sharp curves, and potholes, among other risks, via the navigation app service. The effort is a part of the road transport ministry’s goal to reduce the number of road accidents and fatalities in the country.

This navigation app service ‘MOVE by MapmyIndia won The government’s Aatmanirbhar App Innovation Challenge in 2020’. Citizens and authorities can also use the service to report and broadcast accidents, unsafe places, and road and traffic difficulties on the map in order to assist other users. IIT Madras and MapmyIndia will analyse the data, which will subsequently be used by the government to enhance road conditions in the future.

The IIT team inked agreements with a number of state governments to assist them in developing a road map for decreasing road fatalities by half by 2030, with the ultimate objective of zero deaths from traffic accidents.

Last month, the Road Ministry formally accepted a data-driven road safety approach developed by IIT Madras researchers with World Bank financing. The Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD) model developed by the institute will be used by over 32 states and union territories to assist make roads safer and improve emergency response.

The new set of rules, to be known as, “All India Tourist Vehicles Authorization and Permit Rules, 2021”  has been published vide GSR 166( E) dated 10 March 2021 will be applicable from 01 April 2021. The permit will be issued within 30days of relevant documents and fee submission.

According to the official release, the scheme allows flexibility in the form of authorization/permit being granted, for a period of three months or its multiples thereof, not exceeding three years at a time. The step has been taken in view of the growing travel and tourism industry with domestic and international tourists.

The proposed timelines for implementation are 01st April 2021 for new models and 01st June 2021 for existing models, as mentioned in the draft notification. Ministry has invited suggestions & comments from all stakeholders within 30 days at the following email address: comments-morth@gov.in

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1684344

The order means only BIS (Bureau of Indian Standard) certified two-wheeler helmets would be manufactured and sold in the Country for two-wheelers. This would help in avoiding the sale of low-quality two-wheeler helmets in the Country which would in turn help in protecting citizens involved in two-wheeler accidents from fatal injuries.

A  Supreme court committee on road safety having experts from different fields, including expert doctors from AIIMS and also from BIS was formulated in March 2018  for considering lighter helmets in India suiting the country’s climatic conditions and that for ensuring compliance amongst citizen to wear the helmets. The recommendation was accepted by the ministry after a detailed analysis.

Read the detailed press release at https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1676466