Do you know?
- 6 % of the world's road accident deaths happen in India (while India
has only 1 % of the world's road vehicles) [GBoWR]
- 1 person dies every 6 minutes; 10 are injured in the same time frame
[BBC; Sep 2005]
- financial losses due to road traffic injuries 2005: 550 bn Rs = 3% of
GDP [BBC; Sep 2005
More than 100,000 people are dying on Indian roads every year. Another million are injured or maimed. Most of these are pedestrians, cyclists and two-wheeler riders. The economic cost to the nation, estimated a few years ago, was Rs. 55,000 crore. As road infrastructure improves, and automobile sales boom, India can no longer ignore road safety. In India, we love Road Rage. Life is cheaper than dust on these killer roads. Be it any part of Indian states, roads and highways are perennial nightmare for daily commuters.
EasyDriveForum is an online platform to share, discuss, views and opinions related to plight of Indian roads, traffic, automobiles and woes of common citizens on roads. We know that our effort is only a small step with comparison to the scale of the problem. We also know that, as in the West, road accident fatalities will come down significantly only when India focuses in an integrated way on all aspects of road safety. We will continue our modest efforts, in the confidence that more and more people and institutions will rally together to make our road and each individual commuter’s life safe. The Prime Minister's call gives us strength. Just as it gives hope to millions of Indians who crave for safety and order on Indian roads.
THE INTEGRATED APPROACH: Large parts of Europe, North America and Japan have shown
the way. They have brought down road accident fatalities through an integrated
approach involving:
- Better road design and construction
- Rigorous driver training
- Stringent license requirements
- Effective enforcement of traffic rules
- Regulations that make automobiles safer for passengers and pedestrians
But aren’t we lagging far behind considering the above-mentioned integrated approach pertaining to road accidents in India? Do we have plans for improving post-accident rescue operations and emergency healthcare? It is heartening to know that the Indian Government too is considering a national road safety body, which will take an integrated approach to the problem of road safety. Even though, lots need to be addressed and done as far as traffic problems and safety is considered on Indian roads.
Probably in India we have forgotten the basic road manners. One should give way to pedestrians, observe rules while overtaking, know how to park and when not to blow a horn. These are simple rules, but their observance makes a lot of difference to our daily lives. We Indians behave with great courtesy at home and with family and friends. But when we go out we leave these manners behind. On the road, we lose control of our good senses. Why should this be so? We encourage you to join
EasyDriveForum for the noble cause and share and spread the word for a unified approach on dealing with road safety concerns. Your experience, views, ideas, comments are welcomed to deal with this growing Indian Road Traffic menace on this vibrant podium.
If you feel and care for your country; you can definitely add an iota of your share to the success of the Easy Drive Forum, Click here to register now and share the responsibilty.
