Road Accidents in India: A Grim Reality

Context (IE):
In 2023, India reported over 1.72 lakh road fatalities, maintaining its position as the global leader in road accident deaths.

Key Statistics (2023)

• Total Road Accidents: 4.80 lakh, reflecting a 4.2% rise from 2022.
• Daily Average:
  • 1,317 accidents and 474 fatalities per day.
  • 55 crashes and 20 deaths every hour.
• State with Highest Fatalities: Uttar Pradesh, recording 23,650 deaths from 44,000 accidents.
• Primary Causes:
  • Over-speeding led to 68.1% of total fatalities.
  • Lack of Safety Gear resulted in 54,000 deaths due to non-use of helmets and 16,000 deaths from not wearing seat belts.
  • Driving Violations accounted for over 34,000 crashes due to unlicensed driving, while overloading caused 12,000 deaths.
  • Infrastructure Deficiencies like potholes, inadequate crossings, and outdated vehicles with poor braking systems further exacerbated the issue.

Challenges to Road Safety in India

1. Behavioural Issues:
   Over-speeding, reckless driving, and non-compliance with traffic rules are prevalent.
2. Road Engineering Problems:
   Poorly designed roads, potholes, black spots, and inadequate infrastructure contribute significantly to accidents.
3. Weak Law Enforcement:
   Ineffective implementation of traffic regulations, particularly at state and district levels, hinders road safety.
4. Substandard Vehicle Standards:
   Many vehicles lack advanced safety features and require improvements in design and engineering.
5. Limited Awareness and Education:
   Road safety education and awareness programs remain insufficient across the country.

Measures Taken by the Government

1. Black Spot Rectification:
   An investment of ₹40,000 crore has been allocated to rectify black spots on national highways.
2. Curriculum Inclusion:
   Proposals have been made to introduce road safety education in school curricula.
3. Improved Vehicle Standards:
   Automobile manufacturers have been directed to enhance safety features in vehicles.
4. Awareness Campaigns:
   Nationwide initiatives have been launched to promote road safety and responsible driving practices.

Way Forward

1. Enhancing Road Infrastructure:
   Address issues like potholes and construct more underpasses, flyovers, and foot-over bridges on state and district highways.
2. Behavioral Change through Awareness:
   Collaborate with NGOs and community groups to conduct extensive awareness campaigns on traffic rules and safe driving practices.
3. Adoption of Technology and Innovation:
   • Implement AI-based traffic management systems to monitor and manage traffic flow efficiently.
   • Mandate advanced safety features in vehicles, such as airbags, anti-lock braking systems (ABS), and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
4. State-Level Collaboration:
   Encourage active participation from state governments to address localized road safety challenges and improve enforcement mechanisms at the grassroots level.