Kanpur: A district-level road safety committee meeting was held under the chairmanship of district magistrate Mahendra Singh Tanwar, during which officials reviewed measures to reduce road accidents, ensure the safety of schoolchildren and address accident-prone locations.Officials informed the DM that 1,097 vehicles are being used to transport children studying in 313 schools across the district. Tanwar directed that police verification of drivers, validation of driving licences and regular health check-ups be ensured on a priority basis.He also instructed officials to ensure compliance with high court guidelines mandating the deployment of a female conductor in buses and other vehicles transporting women, girl students and minor girls.The DM said monitoring of children’s safety should not be restricted to school-run vehicles alone. The safety of children commuting by tempos, e-rickshaws and other private vehicles should also be monitored regularly.No vehicle should carry passengers beyond its prescribed capacity, he said, directing the Transport Department and Traffic Police to conduct regular checks and ensure compliance.Tanwar further directed that a death audit be conducted in every fatal road accident. Concerned officials should inspect accident sites and interact with local residents to ascertain the actual causes of crashes. Based on the findings, corrective measures should be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future, he said.Emphasising the need for special attention to the Kanpur-Hamirpur-Sagar route, the DM directed authorities to regularly trim bushes along roadsides, particularly near bends, to improve visibility for motorists. He also ordered that sewer chambers be maintained level with the road surface. The DM also directed authorities to continue action against encroachments that obstruct traffic.He also instructed concerned departments to ensure that road accident victims and their families receive benefits under eligible relief and assistance schemes in a timely manner, and that related cases are disposed of on priority.
