The road to Safety

India recorded 1.68 lakh road accident fatalities in 2022, making it one of the highest globally. With urbanisation accelerating and vehicle ownership rising, urban mobility transformation must shift from speed-centric models to inclusivity and road safety, grounded in the constitutional right to life under Article 21.

Constitutional and Urban Imperatives

• Right to Safe Mobility under Article 21: Safe road travel is a derivative of the right to life, making road safety a constitutional and moral obligation. Citizens must not face threats to life or injury while using public roads.
• Urbanisation and Mobility Demand: By 2047, 50% of India’s population will reside in urban areas, increasing vehicular pressure and demanding people-centric, inclusive urban design focused on vulnerable users.
• Safe System Approach to Urban Design: This model accepts human error but demands that road systems prevent it from resulting in death. It promotes wider footpaths, cycle tracks, speed calming, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.

Institutional Initiatives and Structural Gaps

• MoRTH’s Safety Reforms: The Ministry has addressed over 5,000 black spots, mandated road safety audits, and implemented vehicle safety features like airbags and ABS, along with CCTV and speed camera enforcement.
• Driver Training and Fitness Push: Government aims to establish driver training and vehicle fitness centres in every district, recognising unskilled driving as a key risk factor in accidents.
• CSR-Based Road Safety Funding: Proposal to direct automakers’ CSR funds over 20–25 years towards road safety for infrastructure upgrades, training, trauma care, and public awareness as part of India’s Vision Zero.

Economic Rationale and Policy Strategy

• Macroeconomic Losses from Crashes: Road crashes cost India 3% of GDP annually, impacting both economic productivity and human development indicators.
• World Bank Road Safety Estimates (2020): Achieving a 50% fatality reduction needs $109 billion over the next decade, yielding 4x returns in avoided deaths, injuries, and improved mobility efficiency.
• Four Es of Road Safety Strategy: Effective road safety depends on integration of Engineering, Enforcement, Education, and Emergency Care, with urgent emphasis on design innovation and user sensitisation.

Practice Question