Context:

Recently, the "India Status Report on Road Safety 2024" was released by the Transportation Research and Injury Prevention (TRIP) Centre at IIT Delhi. 

More on the News

• This report highlights India’s slow progress in meeting international goals of reducing road accident deaths.
• The report focuses on the need for a differentiated approach to mitigate road accidents, emphasizing the connection between road construction, mobility, and public health challenges. 
• The report analyzes road safety in India using data from FIRs in six states and audits of state compliance with Supreme Court road safety directives. 
• It highlights disparities in road traffic death rates, the vulnerability of motorcyclists, and the high fatality rates in crashes involving trucks. 

Key Findings of the Report

• Most Indian States are unlikely to meet the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety goal to halve traffic deaths by 2030. 
• In 2021, road injuries were the 13th leading cause of death and the 12th leading cause of health loss, as measured by Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). 
• In terms of inter-state disparity, the per capita death rates differ more than threefold between States. 
• In 2021, Tamil Nadu (21.9), Telangana (19.2), and Chhattisgarh (17.6) had the highest rates per 100,000 people, while West Bengal and Bihar recorded the lowest at 5.9 per 100,000. 

United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety

• The United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 is a UN resolution that aims to reduce road traffic injuries and fatalities by 50% by 2030. 
• The resolution was adopted in August 2020 by the General Assembly (UNGA). 

• Six states – Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu – account for nearly half of all traffic fatalities in India. 
• The report also reveals that pedestrians, cyclists, and motorised two-wheeler riders are the most common victims of road accidents, while trucks are responsible for the highest proportion of impacting vehicles.
• Only eight states have audited more than half of their National Highway lengths, and very few States have done the same for their State Highways.

India's Global Road Safety Standing

• The report presents a sobering comparison between India and developed countries like Sweden and other Scandinavian nations, which have excelled in road safety governance. 
• In 1990, an Indian was 40% more likely to die in a road accident than someone in these countries. 
• By 2021, this figure had soared to 600%, indicating a sharp rise in road fatalities. 

Challenges in Road Safety

• India's national road safety data systems are insufficient for guiding public policy. 
• Currently, there is no national crash-level database, and road safety statistics at both State and national levels are compiled from individual police station records, often containing inaccurate information on key variables like the victim's mode of transport.
• The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study and Sample Registration System (SRS) suggest that these records often contain inaccurate information on key variables like the victim’s mode of transport, which is crucial for road safety management. 
• The Report notes that in only seven states, more than 50% of motorized two-wheeler riders wear helmets, despite this simple safety measure greatly reducing fatalities and serious injuries. 

Government Measures for Road Safety 

• Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act 2019: Strengthened traffic regulations, increased penalties for violations, and introduced provisions for road safety, including fines for not wearing helmets and seat belts.
• National Road Safety Policy, 2010: Based on the recommendations of the Sunder Committee, the Union Cabinet approved the National Road Safety Policy in March 2010. It focuses on road infrastructure, enforcement of safety laws, public awareness campaigns, and emergency medical care for accident victims. 
• electronic Detailed Accident Report (e-DAR) portal: The project has established a central repository for reporting, management, and analysis of road accident data across the country. It helps accelerate accident compensation claims, bringing relief to victims’ families. 
• Good Samaritan Law: Protects bystanders who help accident victims from legal and procedural hassles, encouraging quicker assistance to victims. 
• Vehicle Safety Standards: Introduction of safety features like airbags, ABS, and crash-test norms (Bharat New Car Assessment Program) for vehicles to improve safety on the roads. 

Way Forward

• National Crash Database: Establishing a national database for fatal crashes with public access will enhance understanding of specific risks and the effectiveness of interventions across states. 
• Implementing International Agreements: India needs to adhere to the Brasilia Declaration (2015) and the Stockholm Declaration (2020) to reduce road fatalities and injuries by 50% by the year 2030. 
• These declarations call for enhanced road safety measures, improved infrastructure, stricter enforcement of traffic laws, and public awareness to reduce fatalities.