Kerala's Road Safety Dilemma: Addressing Negligence and Mobile Distractions

Kerala's Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar highlights negligence by two-wheeler riders and pedestrians as key factors in rising road accidents. The minister suggests amending laws to impose fines on mobile users crossing streets, despite a decline in fatalities. Improved driver education is deemed essential.

The Kerala Transport Minister, K B Ganesh Kumar, has identified negligence by two-wheeler riders and pedestrians as a significant factor in the rising number of road accidents. Speaking in the Assembly on Thursday, Kumar noted that many pedestrians fail to check for traffic while crossing streets, often distracted by mobile phones.

In response to MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan's query during the Question Hour, the minister suggested imposing fines on individuals using mobile phones while crossing roads. He proposed amending the Kerala Police Act to enforce this measure. Although there has been an increase in road accidents, fatalities have seen a decline over consecutive years. In 2023, deaths fell by 8.5 percent from 2022, and in 2024, they reduced further.

Kumar credited the drop in fatalities to efforts made by organizations like the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) and emphasized better planning and funding for road safety. Responding to another inquiry, he highlighted the need for improved technical training for drivers to prevent vehicle fires due to inadequate knowledge.

(With inputs from agencies.)