The Odisha government has instructed Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) to take proactive measures to address the increasing number of road accidents. Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur emphasized the need for stricter enforcement and greater public awareness about traffic rule violations during a special review meeting. RTOs were directed to implement comprehensive and district-specific strategies to reduce road accidents effectively.
Highlighting the seriousness of the issue, Thakur stressed the importance of stringent actions to tackle reckless driving behaviors that endanger lives. He called for focused enforcement on violations like drunken driving, unauthorized vehicle modifications, and mobile phone usage while driving. Thakur also emphasized the necessity of coordinated efforts among departments to address district-specific road safety challenges.
In addition to regulatory roles, RTOs were urged to play an educational role by raising public awareness on traffic violations and road safety. Thakur emphasized the need for citizen participation in promoting road safety as a mass movement. The Transport Commissioner mentioned that future performance appraisals of RTOs would include road safety performance as a key component.
RTOs were also tasked with ensuring passenger safety as a top priority and monitoring accident-prone areas closely. They were instructed to take corrective actions through proper assessment and inter-departmental coordination to enhance road safety measures.
