Bhubaneswar: Sept 26 [UDN}:The Odisha Government has proposed a new set of pedestrian safety rules aimed at improving road safety and making road infrastructure safer and more accessible for pedestrians across the state.
Under the proposed draft rules, the maximum speed limit in school zones would be restricted to 25 kmph. The proposal also calls for the development of continuous footpaths along major roads, along with safer and clearly designated pedestrian crossing facilities.
The draft rules seek to prevent encroachment and vehicle parking on footpaths, ensuring that pedestrian pathways remain free and usable. Drivers would also be required to give priority to pedestrians at designated pedestrian crossings.
The proposed regulations further include provisions for the safety of cyclists. While overtaking a cyclist, motorists would be required to maintain a minimum lateral distance of 1.5 metres, wherever road conditions permit.
Another key provision relates to existing roads. According to the proposal, old roads across Odisha would be upgraded in phases over a period of three years to bring them in line with the new pedestrian safety standards.
Priority would reportedly be given to areas with a high concentration of pedestrians and greater accident risks, including school and hospital zones, market areas and accident-prone stretches of roads.
The proposed measures are aimed at creating safer road environments for pedestrians and cyclists while strengthening infrastructure and traffic-management standards across Odisha.
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