In an initiative to curb the number of daily traffic fatalities, the Punjab government announced its plan to establish a specialised force that will focus on enhancing road safety and managing traffic, an official shared on Saturday.
This new unit, christened the Sadak Surakhya Force (Road Safety Force), will form part of the Punjab Police and its personnel will be primarily stationed along national and state highways, where about 75% of the state’s road accidents reportedly occur each year.
The force, slated to comprise approximately 1,300 members, will be equipped with modern tools such as body cameras, breathalysers, and interceptors for monitoring vehicular speed. The government plans for this unit to become fully operational before August 15, according to Additional Director General of Police AS Rai, the designated nodal officer for the force.
Rai disclosed that the state government has allocated nearly Rs 40 crore for the Sadak Surakhya Force. The personnel will also don a distinct uniform, indicative of their specific role and responsibilities.
The Road Safety Force is tasked to regulate accidents due to negligent activities such as leaving vehicles unattended on the roads during foggy weather. In the event of an accident, these officers will ensure timely medical assistance for the victims and will be vigilant about prevalent causes of accidents such as speeding and drunk driving.
Statistics reveal that road accidents in Punjab result in approximately 4,500-5,000 fatalities each year, averaging to 12-14 deaths daily. Majority of these mishaps are due to overspeeding and drunk driving, typically occurring between 6 pm and 12 am on major highways and district roads.
With the introduction of the Sadak Surakhya Force, the government aims not only to mitigate road accidents and streamline traffic but also to ease the burden on local police. The personnel for this new force will be recruited from the fresh inductees of the Punjab Police.