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Rajasthan becomes the first state to adopt a 10-year Road Safety Action Plan

Syllabus: Governance

 Source: TH

 Context: Rajasthan will become the first state in India to adopt a 10-year road safety action plan aimed at reducing road accidents by 50% by 2030.

 

Measures included in the Rajasthan government’s 10-Year Road Safety Action Plan:

  1. Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD): Technology Use: Implementation of the iRAD application for online data entry of road accidents.
  2. Public Awareness and Behavioral Changes: Campaigns to raise awareness and bring about behavioural changes regarding road safety rules and provisions.
  3. Specific Safety Measures:
    • Speed Limits: Implementation and enforcement.
    • Safe Distance: Promoting safe driving distances.
    • Traffic Signals: Improving adherence to traffic signal regulations.
    • Road Barriers: Installing and maintaining barriers for enhanced safety.
    • Pedestrian Safety: Ensuring safety measures for pedestrians.
    • Seatbelt and Helmet Use: Enforcing the use of seatbelts and helmets.
    • Vehicle Insurance: Ensuring all vehicles have valid insurance.
  1. World Bank Assistance: Utilizing the World Bank’s assistance to incorporate international best practices in the preparation of the action plan and road safety policy.
  2. Coordination Among Stakeholders: Enhanced collaboration among various departments like Transport, Public Works, Police, Medical & Health, and Forest departments for accurate data reporting and successful implementation.
  3. Workshops and Training: Workshop organized by the State Road Safety Institute aimed at training police personnel on the Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD) application for effective data entry and analysis of road accidents.

 

Status of Road Accidents in India:

  1. According to WHO estimates, an estimated 300,000 road-related deaths occur in India annually, contributing to economic costs between 5% and 7% of the national GDP.
  1. A maximum number of cases were reported in Tamil Nadu.
  2. Reasons: Speeding accounted for over half of all deaths, while dangerous and careless driving caused over 42000 deaths.
  3. India has the highest number of total persons killed due to road accidents, followed by China and the United States.

 

Primary Reasons Behind Road Accidents in India:

Reasons Description
Over speeding According to the Road Accidents in India-2022 report, over-speeding accounted for over 72% of all accidents and two-thirds of deaths and injuries in India.
Drunk Driving Drunk driving accounted for about 2% of road accidents in India in 2022.
Distracted Driving Using mobile phones, eating, or engaging in activities while driving diverts attention.
 Road Design Potholes, poorly marked lanes, inadequate road signs, insufficient lighting, and lack of pedestrian facilities contribute to accidents.
Weather Conditions Dense fog, excessive rainfall, and strong winds make driving challenging.
Mechanical Failures Vehicle breakdowns or malfunctions compromise safety. Faulty brakes, tyres, and other components contribute to accidents.
Non-Compliance with Traffic Rules Lack of adherence to traffic rules significantly contributes to road accidents.
Non-Use of Seat Belts and Helmets Nearly 83% of car occupants killed in accidents in 2021 were not wearing seatbelts.
Overloading of Vehicles In 2020, overloaded trucks caused 10,000 deaths and 25,000 injuries on National Highways in India.
Low Awareness According to a SaveLIFE study, over 37% believed wearing seat belts is not mandatory for rear-seat passengers, and only 27.7% were aware of the law.

Sundar Committee Recommendations on Road Safety:

  1. Creation of the National Road Safety & Traffic Management Board, an apex body at the national level, with members from various fields, to promote road safety and traffic management.
  2. Establishment of State Road Safety & Traffic Management Boards in each state and union territory with similar functions.
  3. Development of a National Road Safety Plan with specific targets and action plans.
  4. Improvement of post-accident care, trauma management, and establishment of a national road accident database.
  5. Earmarking 1% of total proceeds of diesel and petrol cess for the Road Safety Fund.
  6. Addressing issues like decriminalization of road accidents, insurance, and dedicated highway police.
  7. Approval of the National Road Safety Policy in 2010 based on these recommendations.

 

Global Initiatives:

  • Brasilia Declaration on Road Safety (2015): Signed at the second Global High-Level Conference on Road Safety, it aims to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.6, halving global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents by 2030.
  • Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030: A UN initiative adopting a resolution to prevent at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030, aligned with the holistic approach outlined in the Stockholm Declaration.
  • International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP): A charity dedicated to saving lives through safer roads.

 

International Best Practices: 

Netherlands’ Sustainable Safety vision: It focuses on preventing crashes and reducing crash severity by creating a safe road system. It is based on five principles: functionality, homogeneity, predictability, forgivingness, and state awareness.

Japan: Japan has achieved a remarkable reduction in road traffic deaths, from 16,765 in 1990 to 3,215 in 2019. It has implemented various measures, such as strict enforcement of traffic laws, improvement of road infrastructure, promotion of seat belt and helmet use, road safety education and introduction of advanced safety technologies in vehicles.

 

India-Specific Initiatives:

  1. Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, 2019: Increases penalties for traffic violations, addresses defective vehicles, and juvenile driving, and establishes a Motor Vehicle Accident Fund. It also proposes the creation of a National Road Safety Board.
  2. Carriage by Road Act, 2007: Regulates common carriers, limiting their liability and determining liability for loss or damage to goods.
  3. Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2000: Provides control over land within National Highways, right of way, and traffic movement. Addresses removal of unauthorized occupation.
  4. National Highways Authority of India Act, 1998: Establishes an authority for the development, maintenance, and management of National Highways.
  5. Private sector initiatives like Maruti Suzuki’s Drive Safe India campaign and Mahindra & Mahindra’s Drive Safe, Drive Smart campaign.

 

Other Measures to address Road accidents:

Measures Details
Enforcement of Seatbelt and Helmet Use A WHO report states that wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of death by 45-50%, and for rear seat occupants by 25%.
Awareness Campaigns E.g., the UN’s #MakeASafetyStatement, to educate the public on road safety.
Speed Limit Implement measures to reduce speeding, enhance traffic management systems, and enforce strict penalties for drunk driving.
Infrastructure Improvement Enhance road infrastructure to ensure safe conditions, addressing issues contributing to accidents. Invest in ongoing government programs for rapid improvements.
Focus on Vulnerable Road Users Prioritize the safety of vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists, two-wheeler riders) through tailored infrastructure and awareness programs.
Emergency Care Services Improve access to high-quality emergency care services and after-care for road crash victims.

 

India’s road network status:

  • Road density:1,926 per 1,000 sq km in 2018-19, higher than many developed countries.
  • Surfaced/paved roads:over 64% of the total road length, comparatively lower than in developed countries.
  • National Highways:About 2% of total road length in 2019.
  • Other networks:State Highways (about 3%), District Roads (about 10%), Rural Roads (about 7%)

 

Insta Links 

Editorial: Road Accidents

 

Mains Links

Road traffic accidents are a leading cause of death in India, and a major contributor to socio-economic losses, disability burden, and hospitalization. Discuss (15M)