THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government plans to make wearable sleep alarm mandatory for night-time drivers, Transport Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan has said.
A committee comprising the Transport Secretary and Transport Commissioner had been assigned to submit a recommendation in that regard, he told the Assembly on Thursday.
The minister said that the number of vehicles in the state saw a 123 per cent increase during 2006-2014. Fortunately, the accident rate witnessed 13 per cent decline during the period.
The total number of vehicles in 2015 is 96,48,230 as against 38,27,677 in 2006.
In 2014, 4,049 persons died in 36,282 vehicle accidents. Of these, 13,167 accidents involved two-wheelers and the number of deaths stood at 1,343. The minister said that the rising number of two-wheeler accidents and the casualties, including youngsters, was a cause for concern.
The Transport Department plans to launch traffic awareness programmes for students in association with schools. Also, parents should desist from buying high-speed bikes for their children.
The minister said hoarding and display boards would be removed and proper signage would be installed at accident blackspots.
The government has noticed that insurance companies are delaying compensation to victims of accidents caused by KSRTC. Action will be taken if complaints are received.