Patna: Chief minister Nitish Kumar has hinted at more stringent punishment for drivers responsible for road accident deaths.

Currently, drivers get bail under Section 304(1) of IPC and the maximum punishment is two years imprisonment. Sometimes, the court imposes fines instead of jail for drivers and they are set free.

The chief minister said that even courts had advocated more stringent laws and a process will be started after taking legal views.

The chief minister issued the statement after a committee led by development commissioner Sishir Sinha submitted its report on road safety at 1 Aney Marg on Friday.

The committee was formed after nine children were crushed to death by an SUV driven by a local BJP leader in Muzaddapur in February.

Stressing on the need for road safety, the chief minister said upcoming new roads will have under-passes and overbridges in populated areas - particularly where there are schools.

The chief minister also stressed on the need to construct bypasses, service road, way-side amenities and foothpaths for pedestrians.

Nitish said the design of these paths should be such that even the disabled or animals could use them to cross the roads.

He directed officials to identify accident-prone areas and said the road construction and rural works departments should work together to minimise accidents.

Nitish also stressed on the need to create awareness among schoolchildren about road safety.

He said the education department and social organisations should join hands to create awareness among children. He directed transport officials to strictly follow rules when they issue driving licenses to persons and only qualified drivers should be given licenses.

He said vehicles should be made to undergo fitness tests at regular intervals - particularly commercial vehicles.

The Bihar chief minister said the health department must find ways to give treatment to accident victims within an hour of the accident.

The first hour after an accident is called golden hour and lives can be saved through immediate treatment in that hour.

He said Bihar had a population of 12 crore and innovative ideas to lessen road accidents for both rural and urban areas should find innovative ideas to lesson road accidents in both rural and urban areas of the state.