Bhubaneswar: Smart devices will be installed in all buses plying in Odisha as part of steps being taken by the state government to enhance road safety and reduce accidents, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Saturday.
Speaking at an event to kickstart the National Road Safety Month in Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister said the state government will assist private bus owners in installing these devices as it will help detect and prevent various cases of negligence and emergency including drunk driving and loss of consciousness.
These smart electronic devices can also analyse breath and detect various mechanical errors and prevent mishaps.
The Chief Minister also announced that the state government will recruit over 2,000 traffic police personnel in order to streamline traffic and check road accidents. The government has already announced that 500 traffic police personnel will be appointed this year itself.
Sharing details on the proposed smart device for buses, Principal Secretary of Commerce and Transport department, Usha Padhi said that talks for the manufacturer and procurement of these devices were ongoing with IIT Madras.
These smart devices are capable of detecting various scenarios. They can follow the movement of the iris and alert the driver if they fall asleep while driving, a condition known as sleep hypnosis, she said.