NewDelhi: Indian Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has said that the country would also implement a system that will track the working hours of drivers of heavy vehicles. The decision comes as a reaction to increasing worries about driver wellness and productivity, since many drivers already stay on the job beyond 12 hours.
Gadkari, at a press conference, pointed towards the preliminary findings of an investigation in a recent incident reported from Jaipur, wherein an LPG tanker driver had been on the wheel for 12 hours straight. In stark contrast with developed nations such as the US and Europe, where drivers are almost always limited to driving eight hours at a time, he highlighted the plight.
Gadkari said, ‘We are working on different options for the same, including the use of heavy vehicle drivers’ Aadhaar card swiping systems to monitor their working hours.’ “That will help us know how many hours these drivers spend on the road.”
The minister also detailed plans to make automated emergency braking systems, electronic stability control, and driver drowsiness alert systems with audio warnings mandatory for all new heavy vehicles.
The government’s approach was elaborated by Road Transport Secretary V Umashankar, who said that they are looking at ways to use the technology for integrating Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTD) and Aadhaar cards for checking drivers working hours. In the meantime, all commercial vehicles will soon be forced to get them.
And stated that despite the Motor Transport Workers Act allowing states to enable them to regulate working conditions and driving hours, few have made such regulations. The challenge remains that there is still no enforcement.
The initiative, started by the government, seeks to redress the inordinate issues of road safety and driver awareness and may revolutionise the commercial transport sector in India.
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