Road Safety in India

India is at a pivotal moment in its mobility transformation. While the country’s growing road infrastructure and urbanization offer numerous opportunities, they also present significant challenges, particularly in the realm of road safety.

India's Road Network

• Second Largest Road Network: India boasts the second-largest road network globally, with National Highways (NH) spanning 146,195 km. These roads form the backbone of the country’s mobility system.

• National Highway Network Expansion:

  • The length of National Highways grew by 60% from 91,287 km in 2014 to 146,195 km currently.

  • High-Speed Corridors (HSCs) grew significantly, from just 93 km in 2014 to 2,474 km today.

  • 4-lane and above National Highways more than doubled from 18,278 km in 2014 to 45,947 km today, showcasing enhanced connectivity.

Need for Road Safety in India

1. Death Toll and Road Safety Statistics:

   • 1.68 lakh deaths were recorded due to road accidents in 2022, equating to approximately 12.2 fatalities per 1 lakh population.

   • In contrast, road traffic death rates in Japan and the UK are significantly lower at 2.57 and 2.61 fatalities per 1 lakh population, respectively.

2. Economic Loss:

   • India faces a 3% loss in GDP annually due to road accidents, reflecting the strain on healthcare systems, insurance sectors, and national productivity.

3. Challenges of Urbanization:

   • By 2047, nearly 50% of India’s population will reside in cities, accompanied by a sharp rise in vehicle ownership. This urbanization trend increases risks for vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, the elderly, and public transport commuters.

4. People-Centric Approach:

   • As cities expand, interventions must prioritize safe mobility, ensuring roads are accessible and safe for all users, particularly the most vulnerable.

Key Efforts for Road Safety in India

1. Road Safety as a Fundamental Right

• The right to safe road travel is integral to the right to life under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. This reaffirms the commitment to ensuring safer roads for all citizens.

2. Safe System Approach

• The Safe System Approach acknowledges that humans are prone to errors, but these mistakes should not result in fatalities or serious injuries. The approach focuses on pedestrian safety and promotes a road design that minimizes the impact of human error.

3. Bharat NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme)

• This program provides safety ratings for passenger cars, helping consumers make informed decisions about the safety of their vehicles.

4. Vehicle Scrapping Policy

• The Vehicle Scrapping Policy encourages the removal of unsafe vehicles from the roads. As of now, 44 Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities are operational across 15 states.

5. Electronic Enforcement Mechanisms

• Speed cameras, CCTV surveillance, and automated traffic enforcement systems have been deployed to monitor and ensure compliance with road safety regulations.

6. Emergency Care Initiatives

• The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 introduced a cashless treatment scheme for accident victims during the golden hour, ensuring timely medical intervention.

7. Targeted Interventions by MoRTH:

• Rectification of over 5,000 black spots on highways.

• Mandatory road safety audits to identify and rectify risk areas.

• Strengthened vehicle safety norms, such as airbags and anti-lock braking systems.

• Deployment of electronic enforcement mechanisms like speed cameras and CCTV surveillance.

• Establishment of district-wide driving training and vehicle fitness centers to reduce accidents caused by unskilled driving.

Global Efforts to Address Road Safety

1. Brasilia Declaration (2015):

   • Defined urgent measures needed to achieve Target 3.6 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: to halve road traffic deaths by the end of the decade.

2. United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030):

   • This global initiative aims to reduce road crash fatalities by 50% by 2030, aligned with the Stockholm Declaration (2020).

3. World Bank Report (2020):

   • The report estimates that an additional $109 billion is required over the next decade to achieve a 50% reduction in road crash fatalities globally.

Key Committees and Policy Frameworks in India

1. Sundar Committee on Road Safety and Traffic Management (2005):

   • Recommended the creation of a National Road Safety Policy, which was approved in 2010.

   • Proposed the establishment of a National Road Safety Board to oversee safety regulations and enforcement.

2. National Road Safety Council (NRSC):

   • Advisory body under MoRTH that provides recommendations on policy measures, enforcement strategies, and infrastructure improvements.

3. Working Group on Road Safety Education:

   • Focuses on driver training, public awareness campaigns, and school-level road safety education.

   • Advocates for stronger enforcement of traffic laws and integration of road safety into school curricula.

4. Supreme Court’s Committee on Road Safety:

   • Focuses on creating District Road Safety Committees under The Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.

   • Emphasizes the 4Es: Engineering, Education, Enforcement, and Emergency.

Key Recommendations for Road Safety Improvement

1. Mandatory Road Safety Audits:

   • Conduct road safety audits for both highways and urban roads to identify and rectify dangerous areas.

2. Stricter Vehicle Safety Norms:

   • Implement stricter vehicle safety regulations, including requirements for airbags and anti-lock braking systems (ABS).

3. Enhanced Electronic Enforcement:

   • Expand the use of speed cameras, CCTV surveillance, and automated traffic systems to improve law enforcement and compliance.

4. Dedicated Highway Police:

   • Establish dedicated highway police to better manage traffic and respond swiftly to accidents.

5. National Road Safety Fund:

   • Establish a National Road Safety Fund to finance safety initiatives, including infrastructure upgrades and the development of safer road designs.

Conclusion

India is facing an urgent need to balance its growing road network and urbanization with robust road safety measures. With the rise in road traffic fatalities, it’s clear that a comprehensive, people-centric approach is essential. Implementing global best practices alongside local solutions, including safe system designs, vehicle safety programs, and strict law enforcement, will be pivotal in addressing the ongoing challenges of road safety. India's evolving road safety framework is critical not only for protecting lives but also for sustaining its economic growth and urban development.