CHALLENGES TO ROAD SAFETY IN INDIA

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Context:

The TRIP Centre at IIT Delhi has released the "India Status Report on Road Safety 2024".

Key Highlights of the Report

• India is falling short of achieving the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety objective of reducing road-related deaths by 50% by 2030.
• Motorcyclists and pedestrians are more susceptible to accidents.
• Road safety differs across India.
  • • Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh have registered the highest road traffic death rates.
    • West Bengal and Bihar reported the lowest rates.
    • The report highlighted the need to adopt state-specific road safety strategies.

 

Global Status Report on Road Safety by the World Health Organization (WHO)

• Deaths due to road accidents in India increased from 1,50,785 in 2018 to 1,53,792 in 2021.
• At the global level, deaths due to road accidents declined, but the numbers continue to rise in India.
• The WHO highlighted that improving road safety requires a shift in focus—from accommodating vehicles to prioritising the safety of all road users.
  • • Building roads that provide safe space to pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable users.
    • Implementing and enforcing strict guidelines and laws on speeding, drunk driving, and the use of safety gear like helmets and seatbelts.

Challenges in Road Safety in India

• Traffic congestion
  • • Peak hours in cities result in traffic congestion, thus increasing the chance of an accident.
    • Building new roads, upgrading old ones, and installing better traffic management systems.
• Overloaded vehicles
  • • It reduces vehicle stability and braking efficiency thus increasing accident risk.
    • This issue can be addressed by enforcing stringent weight limits and conducting regular vehicle inspections.
• Overspeeding
  • • Overspeeding reduces the time available to respond to possible risks, increasing the likelihood of an accident.
    • This problem can be addressed by implementing and enforcing speed limits, as well as the use of speed cameras.
• Drinking and driving
  • • Alcohol affects decision-making, reaction times, and coordination, leading to higher accident rates.
    • Strict rules against drinking and driving, along with improved awareness initiatives are essential.t.
• Poorly maintained roads and Potholes
  • • Vehicles can be damaged and involved in accidents as a result of poor road maintenance and design.
    • Regular road maintenance and timely repairs are critical to keeping roads safe.
    • Implementing a road quality monitoring system might address this issue.

Steps taken for Road Safety ●The National Road Safety Policy 2010 intends to reduce road accidents and fatalities by increasing public awareness, improving safety infrastructure, and establishing a national database for accident data. ●The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act of 2019 strengthened road safety regulations, including increased fines, mandatory safety equipment, and vehicle recalls. ●The Good Samaritan Law allows individuals to assist accident victims without fear of legal consequences. ●Technology is being used to improve traffic management through Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). ●The National Emergency Number (112) has been launched for timely and efficient accident response.

Way Forward

• Public campaigns can raise road safety awareness by educating drivers and pedestrians about traffic rules and safe driving practices.
• Strengthening law enforcement is critical to ensure that traffic regulations are observed.
  • • Technology-based traffic management systems, such as automated traffic signals and cameras, can effectively monitor and enforce speed restrictions.
• Investing in road infrastructure, such as widening roads, upgrading sign boards, and creating safer pedestrian crossings.
• Modernising the licensing process by involving the use of digital technology for testing and granting licences can minimise corruption.

Must Read Articles:

GLOBAL STATUS REPORT ON ROAD SAFETY 2023

Source:

The Hindu

The Hindu

Akhilesh

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Critically analyse the challenges of India's current road safety measures and identify areas where they fall short. How could the integration of technology and data analytics improve road safety in India? (250 Words)