Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government is set to establish post-accident investigation teams across the state to identify the causes of road accidents and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Special teams will be constituted in all districts.

The teams will inspect accident sites and submit recommendations based on their findings. They will investigate accidents resulting in two or more fatalities and suggest scientific and practical measures to improve road safety and prevent recurrence.

Investigations will assess factors such as driver error, vehicle defects and road infrastructure deficiencies. The teams will comprise representatives from the Motor Vehicles Department, Police, Public Works Department (PWD), National Highways Authority and Road Safety authorities.

Report to Be Submitted Within Five Days

Kottarakkara: Transport Commissioner Nagaraju announced that the state plans to introduce post-crash investigation teams modelled on systems used in several foreign countries as part of efforts to reduce road accidents.

The Commissioner made the announcement while visiting the site of the recent accident at Kottarakkara, where a tipper lorry overturned onto passengers.

The teams will investigate accidents involving two or more deaths and submit a report within five days. Members will include officials from the Police, Motor Vehicles Department, Public Works Department, Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), Health Department and Local Self-Government institutions. Teams will be established in every district.

According to the Commissioner, a preliminary draft of the project has already been prepared. A final decision and formal announcement will be made following discussions with the Transport Minister and the state government.

An estimated eight to ten fatal accidents occur in Kerala each day, with around 4,000 people losing their lives in road accidents annually. The Commissioner said that reducing accidents would require strict enforcement of traffic laws, coordinated action by government departments, public cooperation and sustained awareness campaigns.

He also stressed the need to install weighbridge facilities at quarries and mining centres to curb vehicle overloading. Greater use of advanced technologies for monitoring and enforcement was also recommended.

Members of the public have been urged to report traffic violations to the authorities. Contact numbers for all Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) will be published to facilitate complaints. A statewide enforcement drive targeting tipper lorries will continue until 15 July, focusing on speeding, overloading, reckless driving and documentation violations.

National Highway Encroachment Crackdown Underway

New Delhi: In a move aimed at improving road safety and easing traffic congestion, the National Highways Authority has launched a nationwide campaign against illegal parking and encroachments along national highways.

The Authority stated that action has commenced after identifying 595 locations across the country where illegal parking is widespread. The initiative is being carried out in compliance with directives issued by the Supreme Court.

Officials said that illegal parking, unauthorised encroachments and commercial activities along highways have significantly increased accident risks and disrupted the smooth flow of traffic.

Efforts to remove encroachments have been intensified, while an urgent audit of the Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) will also be conducted to ensure its effectiveness across the national highway network.