Steering road safety in India back onto the right lane

Context 

As per WHO report, 3 lakh people are estimated to be killed on the road in India.

Alarming Road Safety Statistics

• Global Road Safety Crisis: World Day of Remembrance reveals global road accident crisis, necessitating urgent and evidence-based interventions to curb escalating tragedies.
• Economic Toll in India: Road crashes in India cost 5-7% of GDP, emphasizing the severe economic impact. 2022 noted as deadliest year, urging immediate interventions.
• Urgent Call for Action: Escalating road accidents demand immediate, coordinated action. Government recognition of 2022 as deadly underscores the need for evidence-based interventions.

Focus Areas for Enhanced Safety

• Priority Interventions: Enforcing seatbelt and helmet use, targeting vulnerable road users, and eliminating overspeeding and drink driving are crucial strategies to enhance road safety.
• Infrastructure Enhancement: Improving road infrastructure is pivotal for safer roads. Government initiatives and programs should focus on enhancing the condition and safety of roads nationwide.
• Behavioral Change Initiatives: Large-scale awareness campaigns, like the UN's #MakeASafetyStatement, play a vital role in fostering behavioral changes to ensure safer road practices and reduce accidents.

Steps Towards Comprehensive Road Safety

• Legislative Measures: Implementation of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, reflects India's commitment to legal frameworks fostering road safety and addressing key issues like traffic regulation and data collection.
• Technological Advancements: Adoption of modern technologies, such as intelligent traffic management systems in major cities, signifies a proactive approach to enhance traffic regulation for accident prevention.
• Access to Safety Gear: Initiatives like producing low-cost ventilated UN standard helmets demonstrate efforts to improve accessibility to safety equipment, a critical element in reducing road crash fatalities.