THE ROAD TO SAFETY

GS Paper 2: Governance – Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors

GS Paper 3: Infrastructure – Roads, Transportation, and Safety Measures

Essay Paper: Urbanisation, mobility and public health

Key Highlights:

• India recorded 68 lakh road accident deaths in 2022, translating to 12.2 deaths per 1 lakh people—among the highest globally.
• The economic cost of road crashes is estimated at 3% of India’s GDP.
• The foundation of road safety lies in the constitutional right to life (Article 21), ensuring safe access to public spaces.
• Urban mobility must be redesigned for inclusivity and pedestrian safety, especially as India’s urban population may reach 50% by 2047.
• India needs a long-term road safety plan anchored in Vision Zero, which accepts human error but seeks zero deaths.

Detailed Insights:

1. Road Safety Challenges:

Despite a large road network, India lags in safety due to:

1. Poor infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.
2. Weak enforcement of traffic laws.
3. Inadequate driver training and vehicle fitness checks.
4. Compared to Japan (2.57) and UK (2.61) fatalities per lakh population, India’s figure (12.2) is extremely high.
5. Constitutional Mandate:
6. Article 21 of the Constitution ensures the right to move freely without risk of injury.
7. Road safety is thus not a privilege but a legal and moral duty of the state.
8. Engineering and Enforcement Focus:

MoRTH launched steps like:

1. Rectifying 5,000 black spots
2. Mandatory safety audits
3. Airbags, ABS, cameras, CCTV, and speed enforcement
4. Nationwide driving training centers and vehicle fitness centers

Emphasis on four Es of road safety: Engineering, Enforcement, Education, Emergency Care

4. Investment Outlook:

• World Bank report (2020) estimates $109 billion needed over the next decade to halve fatalities.
• High returns expected through reduced deaths, saved medical costs, and increased productivity.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

Vision Zero: A global road safety strategy that aims for zero fatalities by focusing on system design and human error tolerance.

iRAP (International Road Assessment Programme): Global benchmark for road safety intervention returns.

Significance:

• Effective road safety policies are essential for urbanisation, economic productivity, and human dignity.
• A future-ready mobility system must prioritize the vulnerable: pedestrians, cyclists, elderly, and public transport users.
• Public-private partnerships can play a critical role, including CSR-led mandates for safer vehicles.
• Reimagining road design and behavior is key to achieving Viksit Bharat 2047