Central Idea

• A recent government report titled ‘Road Accidents in India – 2022’ has revealed a concerning surge in road accidents, fatalities, and injuries.
• The report sheds light on the grim statistics of road safety in the country.

Road Accidents in India 

• The report is based on information provided by police departments of States and Union Territories collected on a calendar year basis.
• Standardized formats from the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) were used for data collection under the Asia Pacific Road Accident Data (APRAD) base project.

Statistical Overview:

• In 2022, India witnessed a total of 4,61,312 road accidents. It resulted in a tragic loss of 1,68,491 lives.
• Additionally, 4,43,366 individuals sustained injuries.

State-Specific Data

• Tamil Nadu recorded the highest number of road accidents on National Highways in 2022 (64,105 accidents or 13.9%).
• Madhya Pradesh followed closely with 54,432 accidents (11.8%).
• Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of fatalities (22,595 or 13.4%) due to road accidents.
• TN came second with 17,884 fatalities (10.6%).

Why discuss this?

(1) Year-on-Year Increase:

• The report disclosed an alarming year-on-year increase of 11.9% in road accidents.
• Fatalities also rose by 9.4% in the same period.
• The number of injuries surged by a staggering 15.3% compared to the previous year.

(2) Accident Distribution:

• The accidents were distributed across different types of roads as follows:

1. National Highways, including Expressways: 32.9% (Fatalities: 36.2%)
2. State Highways: 23.1% (Fatalities: 24.3%)
3. Other roads: 43.9% (Fatalities: 39.4%)

(3) Demographic Impact:

• Young adults: Mostly between 18 and 45 years old comprised a significant portion, accounting for 66.5% of road accident victims in 2022.
• Working People: Within the working age group of 18 to 60 years represented 83.4% of total road accident fatalities.

(4) Rural vs. Urban Accidents:

• Approximately 68% of road accident fatalities occurred in rural areas.
• Urban areas accounted for 32% of total accident deaths in the country.

(5) Vehicle Categories

• Two-wheelers remained the most prominent vehicle category involved in road accidents and fatalities for the second consecutive year.
• Light vehicles, including cars, jeeps, and taxis, ranked a distant second.

What global reports have to say?

• A recent analytical series published by The Lancet highlights the potential to reduce road accident-related deaths in India and other countries by 25 to 40%.
• This reduction is achievable through preventive interventions that target four key risk factors.

Major issues identified

In developing countries like India, several structural problems persist:

• High Speed: Excessive speed contributes to accidents.
• Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol-impaired driving poses a substantial risk.
• Unplanned Motorization: Rapid motorization and urbanization create challenges.
• Highway Development: Speedy highway construction often lacks accommodation for diverse traffic speeds.
• Vehicle Conditions: Ramshackle vehicles, wrong-side driving, and inadequate traffic policing are widespread issues.

India-specific Problems

• Weak Law Enforcement: Inconsistent enforcement of traffic laws, often resolved through bribery.
• Speeding: Higher vehicle speeds and increased traffic volume on highways.
• Engineering Challenges: Gaps in highway medians, untreated intersections, and missing crash barriers.
• Behavioural Issues: Violations such as wrong-side driving, lane misuse, and traffic light disobedience.
• Lack of Immediate Trauma Care: Insufficient trauma care on highways leading to higher fatalities.

Steps Taken by India

India has undertaken various measures to address road safety concerns:

• Sundar Committee (2007): India lacks competent investigation units to determine accident causes.
• Amendment to Motor Vehicles Act (2019): Legislative changes, though not uniformly implemented across states.
• National Road Safety Board: Establishment with advisory powers for safety reforms.
• World Bank Support: Approval of a $250 million loan for the India State Support Programme for Road Safety.

Challenges in Implementation

Despite efforts, the focus remains conventional, with limited emphasis on structural changes:

• User Behavior Focus: States prioritize user behavior and education over structural improvements.
• Low Emphasis on Engineering Standards: Inadequate attention to raising engineering standards for roads, signage, signals, and accident investigation training.
• Responsibility Fixation: Neglect in assigning responsibility to government departments for road infrastructure design, creation, and maintenance.

Way forward

• Promoting awareness and responsible behaviour.
• Better road design, maintenance, and signage.
• Strictly enforcing traffic rules and penalties.
• Ensuring vehicle safety and roadworthiness.
• Enhancing first aid and paramedic care in Golden Hour.

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