Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has called for stricter road discipline and public awareness to reduce road accidents, stressing that roads are meant for traffic flow, not for parking vehicles. During a review meeting on preparations for Road Safety Month, CM Yogi directed authorities to prohibit the establishment of tempo, bus, or rickshaw stands along roadsides in any circumstances. He emphasized that disorganized parking, long-standing vehicles on highways and expressways, and roadside queues of trucks are major contributors to serious accidents.
Road Safety Month: 1–31 January
The Chief Minister announced that Road Safety Month will be observed from January 1 to 31, urging all officials and citizens to actively participate. Under this initiative, the state will adopt the “E-4 Model” covering Education, Enforcement, Engineering, and Emergency Care. CM Yogi highlighted that the campaign should not remain a formality but must evolve into a people-driven movement directly linked to citizens’ lives.
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E-4 Model Implementation
The E-4 model aims to address road safety holistically:
- Education: Create awareness among children, youth, and citizens about correct road behavior and the impact of unsafe practices on their lives.
- Enforcement: Ensure strict adherence to traffic rules with immediate action against habitual violators, including suspension of driving licenses and seizure of vehicles. Stunt driving and reckless behavior will be met with strict penalties.
- Engineering: Identify black spots and critical points, improve road infrastructure, repair faulty signage, and construct standardized speed breakers.
- Emergency Care: Enhance ambulance services on highways, increase availability of trauma facilities, and ensure rapid medical response to accident victims. Fitness checks for school vehicles and other public transport will also be conducted to prevent unfit vehicles from operating.
Public Awareness and Youth Participation
CM Yogi directed that the first week of January should focus on awareness campaigns using real-life accident examples to convey the seriousness of road safety. Public Address Systems will be extensively used to reach citizens, emphasizing that road safety is directly linked to their own lives and families. He also called for active participation from organizations such as the National Service Scheme (NSS), National Cadet Corps (NCC), Civil Defence, Scouts and Guides, and other volunteer groups to transform the campaign into a genuine public movement.
Road Accident Statistics and Measures
According to state data, as of November 2025, Uttar Pradesh recorded 46,223 road accidents, resulting in 24,776 fatalities. CM Yogi described these figures as deeply concerning, stressing that road accidents are not merely administrative or technical issues but a significant social challenge. He urged authorities to identify and improve black spots and critical points promptly, implement effective road engineering, and ensure timely medical intervention, as faster emergency response significantly reduces fatalities and injuries.
Beyond Fines: Strict Action for Habitual Violators
The Chief Minister stated that issuing fines alone cannot solve the road safety problem. Habitual violators must face stringent action, including license suspension and vehicle seizure. He emphasized that stunt driving, drunk driving, and reckless behavior should be dealt with severely. Authorities were also directed to remain vigilant against illegal alcohol production and sale.
Focus on High-Accident Districts
CM Yogi held discussions with District Magistrates of the five districts with the highest accident rates, including Hardoi and Kanpur Nagar, to analyze the causes of accidents and devise detailed action plans. Special measures, combined with strict enforcement and citizen awareness, will be implemented to reduce accidents in these regions.
The Chief Minister’s directives reflect a comprehensive, citizen-centered approach to road safety, combining education, strict enforcement, improved infrastructure, and rapid emergency response to significantly reduce road accidents across Uttar Pradesh.
