Why in the news?

  • As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2023, India recorded 4,64,029 road accidents, leading to 1,73,826 deaths and 4.47 lakh injuries.

Road Accidents in India

  • Magnitude of Problem:
    • Around 476 deaths daily highlight the scale of the crisis.
    • Two-wheelers accounted for 46% of victims, showing the vulnerability of motorcyclists.
    • State-wise patterns:
      • Tamil Nadu: Highest two-wheeler accident deaths (11,490).
      • Uttar Pradesh: Reported 8,370 two-wheeler deaths, the maximum fatalities on National Highways (7,041 deaths), and the highest deaths involving SUVs and trucks.
      • Other high-burden states: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh.
    • National Highways: Only 2% of road length, but account for nearly one-third of deaths.
  • Causes of Road Accidents:
    • Human Factors:
      • Over-speeding (cause of nearly two-thirds of fatalities).
      • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
      • Distractions (mobile phone use, fatigue).
      • Weak compliance with helmets and seat belts.
    • Vehicle & Equipment Factors:
      • Poor maintenance, overloading.
      • Lack of advanced safety features in low-cost vehicles.
      • Sub-standard helmets and limited use of airbags/ABS.
    • Road & Infrastructure Factors:
      • Poor road design, potholes, inadequate lighting.
      • Absence of pedestrian crossings and sidewalks.
      • Accident-prone black spots and missing crash barriers.
    • Institutional & Systemic Gaps:
      • Weak enforcement of traffic laws.
      • Delayed emergency response and poor trauma care.
      • Under-reporting and lack of integrated accident data.
      • Fragmented responsibilities across departments.
  • Impacts:
    • Human: Lives lost, permanent disabilities, psychosocial trauma.
    • Economic: Estimated loss of 3–5% of GDP due to lost productivity, medical costs, property damage.
    • Public Health Burden: Strain on emergency care and trauma centres.
    • Social Inequality: Poorer households are more affected due to reliance on two-wheelers and lack of insurance.
  • Government Measures:
    • Legislation: Motor Vehicles Act (Amendments, 2019) – higher penalties, licensing reforms, vehicle recall provisions.
    • Policies: National Road Safety Policy, National Road Safety Strategy aligned with UN Decade of Action for Road Safety.
    • Institutional Mechanisms: National Road Safety Council, State Road Safety Cells.
    • Technology: e-DAR (electronic accident reporting), Intelligent Transport Systems, automated enforcement.
    • Infrastructure: Black spot identification, safer highways, pedestrian facilities.
    • Post-Crash Care: Trauma centres, ambulance networks, Good Samaritan Law.
    • Awareness: Campaigns on helmets, seat belts, anti-drunk driving.
  • Challenges:
    • Enforcement gaps and corruption.
    • Infrastructure growth not matched with safety upgrades.
    • Data under-reporting and lack of real-time analysis.
    • Funding limitations.
    • Poor coordination between police, transport, and health departments.
    • Public apathy towards safety rules.