India and Road Safety

Syllabus: Infrastructure – Road

Source:  TH

Context: India recorded 1.68 lakh road fatalities in 2022, the highest in five years, prompting urgent calls for reform in road safety governance.

• Road crashes cost India an estimated 3% of its GDP annually. This hampers national development and underscores the urgency for effective road safety measures.

About India and Road Safety:

Current Status:

• India has the second-largest road network globally, covering over 6.3 million km.
• In 2022, road accidents caused 1.68 lakh deaths, translating to 12.2 deaths per 1 lakh population.
• Compared to the UK (2.6) and Japan (2.5), India’s fatality rate is alarmingly high.
• Road crashes cost India 3% of its GDP annually, impacting economic and human capital.

Issues Plaguing Road Safety in India:

1. Driver Error Dominance: Around 78% of road accidents are due to driver faults (over speeding, intoxication, lane indiscipline).
2. Poor Infrastructure & Black Spots: Lack of pedestrian zones, poor road design, and 5,000+ black spots remain unrectified.
3. Weak Enforcement Mechanisms: Inconsistent rule enforcement and low deterrence despite high penalty provisions in MV Act, 2019.
4. Inadequate Emergency Response: Delays in medical aid and limited trauma care availability, especially on rural and state highways.
5. Fragmented Governance: Road construction and safety responsibilities are divided between Centre and States, reducing accountability.

Government Initiatives Taken: (4 Es of road safety)

1. Education:

1. • National Road Safety Month, campaigns under Road Safety Advocacy Scheme.
   • Establishment of Driving Training Centres and Research Institutes.

2. Engineering:
   • Road Design:
     • Mandatory Road Safety Audits at all NH project stages.
     • Rectification of accident black spots.
     • Implementation of e-DAR system for accident reporting.
   • Vehicle Design:
     • Mandatory airbags, ABS, seat belt reminders, and reverse parking sensors.
     • Bharat NCAP safety rating system introduced.
     • Vehicle Scrappage Policy launched to phase out unsafe vehicles.

3. Enforcement:

1. • Strict penalties under MV (Amendment) Act, 2019.
   • E-challan system and CCTV-based enforcement in high-risk zones.
   • Rules for electronic monitoring and automated testing stations.

4. Emergency Care:

1. • Good Samaritan protection, increased compensation for hit-and-run cases.
   • Deployment of ambulances at toll plazas with trained paramedics.
   • Cashless treatment pilot scheme in six states in collaboration with National Health Authority.

Way Ahead – Strategic Roadmap:

• Adopt the Safe System Approach: Design roads forgiving of human error; prioritize pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users.
• Create a National Road Safety Authority: Integrate state and central efforts under one umbrella for policy coherence and accountability.
• CSR for Road Safety: Mandate automobile manufacturers to contribute CSR funds for long-term road safety infrastructure and research.
• Strengthen Data Systems: Scale up digital accident data management to support evidence-based policymaking.
• Invest in Infrastructure: Adopt World Bank’s $109 billion investment recommendation to halve road fatalities by 2030.

Conclusion:

Road safety is not just a technical or legal issue — it is a fundamental right under Article 21. India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 must include inclusive, people-centric, and safer mobility systems. A data-driven, coordinated, and long-term approach can transform road safety from a challenge into a success story.

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