Around half of the road accident fatalities in the State between 2021 and 2026 occurred on National Highways, Public Works Minister P.K. Basheer informed the Assembly here on Thursday.
Responding to a ‘calling attention’ motion moved by K.K. Valsaraj, the Minister said that overspeeding and traffic violations were the primary causes of road accidents, and that defects in road construction could not be considered the only reason for such incidents.
At the same time, inadequacies in the roads are also a contributing factor to accidents, he admitted. In locations where accidents occur frequently, joint inspections, involving the Police, the Motor Vehicles Department officials, and the relevant road agencies, are conducted to identify the causes and propose remedial measures. The Minister also said that scientific studies are being carried out through NATPAC (National Transportation Planning and Research Centre) to identify high-risk areas as ‘black spots,’ and that appropriate safety measures are being implemented.
Before preparing estimates for road renovation, the current condition of the site, past accident history, and existing risks are evaluated to ensure that necessary safety provisions are incorporated in the renovation projects. Both temporary and permanent solutions are being planned and implemented for ‘black spots’ (areas prone to accidents) on National Highways. Solar blinkers, rumble strips, speed humps, reflective road signs, road markings, and road studs are being installed in high-risk areas. Further, safety measures, including the installation of metal crash barriers or wire rope barriers at dangerous curves and medians, are also being implemented, the Minister informed the assembly.
The State will also raise issues related to road safety and developments, including the issue of starting toll collection on the NH stretch at Nattiaka in Thrissur, where street light works have not yet been completed, with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, at a meeting scheduled for October 29 in the State, the Minister informed the Assembly
Published - October 15, 2026 07:27 pm IST