Fog Causes Over 30,000 Road Accidents Every Year in India: Govt In Rajya Sabha

<p><strong>New Delhi:</strong> The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has revealed alarming data on the impact of fog on road safety in India. In response to a question raised in the Rajya Sabha Tuesday, Union Minister of Road Transport &amp; Highways Nitin Gadkari said over 30,000 road accidents occur annually during winter due to fog-related conditions.</p> <p>The <a href="https://ift.tt/Ob0wvPq" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ministry shared data</a> from the past four years, which highlight the severity of the issue as winter approaches.</p> <p>According to official date, there were 35,602 accidents due to fog in 2019. The figure reduced to 26,541 accidents in 2020 and 28,934 in 2021 &mdash; the Covid-affected years when there were traffic restrictions in place &mdash; but increased again in 2022 when 34,262 accidents were reported.</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://ift.tt/lGDs7n6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Modi Govt May Introduce &lsquo;One Nation, One Election&rsquo; Bill In Winter Session, JPC To Seek Consensus: Reports</a></strong></p> <p>The numbers show foggy conditions significantly contribute to road accidents during the winter season, posing a serious safety challenge for drivers.</p> <h3>Preventive Measures In Place</h3> <p>To address this issue, the ministry said in its reply, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has implemented several measures this year, which aim to reduce fog-related accidents.</p> <p>These steps include:</p> <ol> <li>Encouraging reduced vehicle speeds during foggy conditions</li> <li>Installing reflective road markings to help drivers navigate even in low visibility</li> <li>Adding crash barriers on highways for enhanced safety</li> <li>Erecting safety signboards to warn drivers of potential hazards.</li> <li>Ensuring proper lighting at designated lay-by areas for trucks and buses.</li> </ol> <p>According to the road transport ministry, the government has in collaboration with the National Health Authority (NHA) also implemented a pilot programme at some places &mdash; Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Assam, Chandigarh, and Puducherry &mdash; to provide cashless treatment to the victims of accidents caused by use of motor vehicle on any category of road.&nbsp;</p> <p>The eligible victims can avail "Health Benefit Packages relating to trauma and polytrauma care at empanelled hospitals under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), up to a maximum of Rs. 1.5 lakh for a maximum period of 7 days from date of accident".</p> <p>Besides, the NHAI has deployed ambulances so assistance can be extended in case of any emergency.</p> <p>The ministry also informed that the government has established guidelines to protect Good Samaritans &mdash; individuals who, in good faith, voluntarily provide emergency medical or non-medical assistance to accident victims at the scene or transport them to a hospital, without expecting any reward or compensation.</p>

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