Brief Context
Context According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India recorded 4,64,029 road accidents in 2023, leading to 1,73,826 deaths and 4.47 lakh injuries. Key Findings Nearly 46% of the victims were two-wheeler riders, reflecting the vulnerability of motorcyclists in India’s traffic ecosystem.
Source Content
Syllabus: GS2/Governance
Context
- According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India recorded 4,64,029 road accidents in 2023, leading to 1,73,826 deaths and 4.47 lakh injuries.
Key Findings
- Nearly 46% of the victims were two-wheeler riders, reflecting the vulnerability of motorcyclists in India’s traffic ecosystem.
- State-Wise Trends:
- Tamil Nadu (11,490 deaths) and Uttar Pradesh (8,370 deaths) reported the highest two-wheeler accident deaths.
- Uttar Pradesh recorded the maximum fatalities on National Highways (7,041 deaths) and also topped deaths from SUVs and trucks. Other high-burden states included Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh.
Major Causes of Road Accidents
- Over-speeding was the leading cause, responsible for 58.6% of deaths.
- Dangerous/careless driving and overtaking accounted for 23.6%.
- Other causes include poor weather, driving under influence of alcohol/drugs, and animal crossings, contributing to 2.8% of deaths.
- Poor Road Conditions such as Potholes, unmarked speed breakers, and lack of signage increase accident likelihood, especially in rural areas.
- Vehicle Defects like brake failure, tire bursts, and other mechanical issues can trigger loss of control.
Key measures taken for road safety
- Global measures:
- Road safety, a public health and development priority, is crucial to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- In September 2020, the UN General Assembly launched the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 which aims to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 50% by 2030.
- Steps taken by India:
- Implementation of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019. The Act hike in penalties for traffic violations, electronic monitoring of the same, enhanced penalties for juvenile driving.
- Computerization/automation of vehicle fitness tests, recall of defective vehicles, streamlining the third party insurance and payment of increased compensation for hit and run cases etc.
- Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP): It provides safety ratings for passenger cars, empowering consumers to make informed decisions.
Key Committees & Policy Frameworks
- The Supreme Court’s Committee on Road Safety (SCCoRS) mandates the constitution of District Road Safety Committees in every district to improve road safety, as per The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
- Sundar Committee on Road Safety and Traffic Management (2005);
- It recommended the creation of a National Road Safety Policy, approved by the Union Cabinet in 2010.
- It also proposed the establishment of a National Road Safety Board to oversee safety regulations and enforcement.
Focus areas for better safety
- Helmet use: It must be enforced among motorcyclists as well as their pillion passengers. Correct helmet use can lead to a 42% reduction in the risk of fatal injuries.
- Speeding must be reduced and also there should be no tolerance for drink-driving.
- Road infrastructure should be enhanced: Many roads are not in a safe condition, although government programmes in recent years have led to rapid improvements.
- Behavioral changes: Large-scale public awareness campaigns such as the new UN global campaign for road safety #MakeASafetyStatement, involving international celebrities, must be undertaken to secure behavioral changes.
Source: TH