Ever faced the situation of having to suddenly slow down your vehicle on a national highway because of a speed breaker? Such speed breakers pose a potential threat to a number of lives that travel through these national highways located across the country. To curb such incidents, the Union Road Transport Ministry has now ordered that all speed breakers be removed from the highways.
Agencies such as National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), Public Works Department (PWD), and Border Roads Organization (BRO) as well as the state governments have been asked to remove these speed-breakers which are not only a compromise on the safety aspect but also hamper the smooth movement of vehicular traffic.
In a recent circular by the Ministry, it said that local authorities were constructing speed breakers or road bumps at multiple places to gauge vehicular speed even though guidelines for the same were in place. The Ministry also added that these speed breakers can be a vulnerable spot for accidents and is undesirable as the purpose of the highways is to facilitate movement of traffic.
In its earlier circulars the ministry had mentioned that the recommendations provide for appropriate designed rumple strips at locations such as level crossings and sharp curves. It was later noted by the ministry that such rumble strips were being randomly supplied. It further went on to add that the location of such measures should be approved by the highway agencies. It was suggested that the agencies explore the possibilities of providing underpasses and Foot Over-Bridges (FOBs) in order to reduce pedestrian related mishaps. The ministry has now sought details of the action taken by Wednesday.
Source: Times of India