Road Safety in India

As per the Global Status Report on Road Safety, 2018 published by World Health Organization (WHO), India has the world’s highest number of annual road accident fatalities. As per data published in Road Accident Statistics in India (2020), a total of 3,66,138 road accidents have been reported in 2020, which claimed 1,31,714 lives and caused 3,48,279 injuries.

Two wheelers accounted for highest share in total accidents and recorded 43.5% of share in total fatalities amongst vehicle categories involved in road accidents. 68 % of road accidents death took place in rural area whereas urban area accounted for 32 % of total accidents death in the country[1]. A significant number of victims of road accidents are young and of working age. Deaths and permanent disabilities in this age group is an economic loss to the nation too.

It has been observed that high speed roads without safe walkways for pedestrians and pedestrian crossing facilities are more prone to accidents due to vehicle-pedestrian interaction.Restricted right-of way conditions often result in poor designs that contribute to unsafe operating conditions.

As per report published by World Bank Group in 2018, India can record an increase of 14% in its Gross Domestic Product, if it is able to reduce road accident fatalities by 50% over the period of 24 years[2].

Road Safety Initiatives in India

The road accidents are multi-causal which requires multi-pronged measures to mitigate the problems through concerted efforts.

The ‘Sundar Committee’ constituted in 2005 assessed the extent of road accidents as public health and economic problem of the country, proposed institutional mechanism for the management of road safety, recommended amendments in traffic laws among other important recommendations.

India launched the ‘National Road Safety Policy’ in 2010 to expedite implementation of road safety initiatives. The objective of the policy focused on increasing awareness about road safety, setting up a road safety database, ensuring safe road infrastructure, safer vehicles & safer drivers, ensuring safety of vulnerable road users, making provision for road safety education & training and ensuring enforcement of road safety laws. The policy also highlighted matters like establishment of emergency medical services for road accident victims, strengthening legal, institutional & financial mechanism for road safety. In 2011, National Road Safety Council formulated different working groups which came out with agenda towards implementing 4Es i.e., Enforcement, Engineering, Emergency Care & Education to strengthen road safety in India.

In 2014, a committee on road safety was constituted by Supreme Court to monitor and measure implementation of road safety laws in the country. The committee reviewed the scenario of road safety and issued first set of recommendations which are as follows:

Government of India declared application of new set of regulations in line with the UN’s standards for front & side impact of vehicles and protection of pedestrian in 2015. India also joined hands by being a part of Brasilia Declaration on Road Safety where countries plan to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 3.6: by 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents.

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has also formulated a multi-pronged strategy to address the issue of road safety based on Education, Engineering (both of roads and vehicles), Enforcement and Emergency Care. Accordingly, various initiatives have been taken by the Ministry which are as mentioned below:-

Sr. No	Area of Initiative	Details
1	Education	Implementing schemes for undertaking publicity measures and awareness campaigns on road safety to create awareness among road users through the electronic media, print media, NGOs etc. Observance of National Road Safety Month/Week every year for spreading awareness and strengthening road safety. A Certification Course for Road Safety Auditors has been commenced in Indian Academy of Highway Engineers (IAHE).
2	Road engineering:	High priority to identification and rectification of black spots (accident prone spots) on national highways. Ministry had identified 5803 black spots on National Highways based on accident and fatality data of year 2015-2018 in 30 states/UTs. Out of 5803 Black spots, temporary measures have been taken on 5366 black spots and 3215 Black spots have been permanently rectified. Road safety has been made an integral part of road design at planning stage. Ministry has delegated powers to Regional Officers of MoRTH for technical approval to the detailed estimates for rectification of identified Road Accident black spots. Guidelines for pedestrian facilities on National Highways for persons with disabilities have also been issued to all States / UTs.
3	Vehicle Engineering	Safety standards for automobiles have been improved in respect of Airbags, Antilock Braking System (ABS), Tires, Crash test, Whole Vehicle Safety Conformity of Production (WVSCoP) etc. Ministry has notified fitment of Speed Limiting devices on all transport vehicles. Scheme for setting up one model Inspection & Certification Centre in each State/UT with Central assistance for testing the fitness of vehicles through an automated system.
4	Enforcement	The recently passed Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 provides for strict enforcement through use of technology and further provides for strict penalties for ensuring strict compliance and enhancing deterrence for violation of traffic rules. Issue of Guidelines for protection of Good Samaritans and draft rules as per MV (Amendment) Act, 2019 have been published.
5	Emergency Care	The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 provides for a scheme for the cashless treatment of victims of the accident during the golden hour. The National Highways Authority of India has made provision for ambulances at all toll plazas on the completed corridors of National Highways.

Reference
[1]Report on Road Accident Statistics – 2020, MoRTH
[2] World Bank & MoRTH; Report on Delivering Road Safety in India, 2018