Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced a special campaign named ‘State-wide Zero Fatality Fortnight’ targeting traffic rule violators from November 16 to 30, aiming for zero road accident fatalities through collaborative efforts and community involvement. This initiative, spearheaded by the Commerce and Transport department, will be executed in partnership with district administrations, police departments, Regional Transport Offices (RTOs), and other relevant agencies, as stated in an announcement made on Thursday. The focus will be on the four key components of road safety: enforcement, engineering, education, and emergency care. Throughout this fortnight, a strict zero-tolerance approach will be enforced against traffic infractions.
RTOs, together with police and district officials, will carry out thorough inspections on highways, in markets, near educational institutions, and other heavily trafficked areas. During the campaign, measures will be taken against speeding, driving under the influence, using mobile phones while driving, and not adhering to helmet or seat-belt regulations under the Motor Vehicles Act, according to an official. District authorities are instructed to pay particular attention to identifying hazardous locations and coordinating with road-engineering agencies for corrective actions. Immediate repairs of damaged road sections, installation of signage, and rectification of design issues have been prioritized, the official noted. In addition to enforcement, extensive awareness initiatives will be organized to encourage safe driving practices.
Both government and private sectors will promote the message that every life is valuable, according to the State government. The public will also be urged to assist accident victims promptly as Good Samaritans. Following the previous success of ‘Zero Fatality Week,’ which notably decreased road deaths, this campaign has now evolved into a fortnight-long program. Reducing road accidents remains a crucial objective in the State’s vision for a Developed Odisha, the statement concluded.