manoj

As reported by the States/UTs, the details regarding number of road accidents, persons killed and persons injured on all the roads during the years 2003, 2004 and 2005 (the latest available data) are as under:-


During the year 2003 & 2004, the number of deaths occurred due to Road Accidents is about 10 persons per hour in India compared to the deaths of less than 5 persons in USA and less than one person in UK. Similarly, the number of injured persons every hour in India was in the range of 49 to 53 persons, whereas in the USA it was between 318 to 329 and in the case of UK, it was about 32 persons. The number of accidents per thousand vehicles in India is about 6 whereas for USA and UK are 8 and 7 respectively for the year 2003 & 2004.

Accident risk index for the Road Sector is not available for India.

Planning Commission had assessed the social cost of road accidents in the country in the year 1999-2000 at Rs. 55,000 crores, which constituted about 3% of the Gross Domestic Products of the country for the year.

The safety of road users is primarily the responsibility of the concerned State Government. However, this department has taken several steps to improve road safety for road users which are as under:

• Road safety is the integral part of road design at planning stage for National Highways/Expressways.
• Various steps to enhance road safety such as road furniture, road markings/road signs, introduction of Highway Traffic Management System using Intelligent Transport System, enhancement of discipline among contractors during construction, road safety audit on selected stretches, have been undertaken by National Highways Authority of India.
• Refresher training to Heavy Motor Vehicle drivers in the unorganized sector.
• Involvement of NGOs for road safety activities by Department of Road Transport and Highways and National Highways Authority of India.
• Setting up of Model Driving Training School in the country.
• Publicity campaign on road safety awareness through audio-visual-print media.
• Institution of National Award for voluntary organizations/individual for outstanding work in the field of road safety.
• Tightening of safety standards of vehicles.
• Provision of cranes and ambulances to various State Governments/NGOs under National Highway Accident Relief Service Scheme. National Highways Authority of India also provides ambulances at a distance of 50 Km. on each of its completed highways under its Operation & Maintenance contracts.
• Widening and improvements of National Highways from 2 lanes to 4 lanes and 4 lanes to 6 lanes etc.

Hon’ble Supreme Court in course of hearing of Writ Petition(Civil) No. 13029 of 1985 (M.C. Mehta vs. Union of India & Others), I.A. Nos. 7,8,9 & 10 had directed the police and other authorities of NCR and NCT of Delhi entrusted with administration and enforcement of Motor Vehicles Act and generally in control of traffic to ensure inter-alia, that transport vehicles are not permitted to overtake any other four-wheeled motorized vehicles. Enforcement and compliance of this direction is the responsibility of the State authorities of NCR and NCT of Delhi.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Shri K.H. Muniyappa in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha March 01, 2007.

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junaid

Why do accidents happen? 80% of road accidents are caused human error say senior police officials. Although no nationwide study as to the causes of road accidents in India.

Well, we all know how easy it is to get a driving license in India. Also punishment for errant drivers is light. A bribe is all that needs to be given and the rash drivers are free to go. Indians are known for their high degree of patience, but do we have to be patient where rash driving is concerned? No. Some drastic action needs to be taken.

The Institute of Health Systems has a few solutions:

1. Be more stringent in issuing licenses.
2. Think of ways to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads.
3. Be strict about usage of helmets.
4. Make separate lanes for heavy vehicles.
5. Study how these issues are tackled in advanced countries.

The World Bank has some suggestions as well:

1. Increase awareness about road safety among road users, planners and engineers. In fact, the World Bank sees public awareness campaigns as a vital part of its efforts to improve road safety. They had designed one such project for the National Highway Authority of India.
2. Introduction of Road safety audits.
3. Speed controlling measures such as speed bumps, rumble strips, road markings, traffic signs, and roundabouts.
4. Building of separate non-motorized traffic and motorcycle lanes to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.

Well, there are always solutions and in some ways we are moving towards that. Better and wider roads for example. States are making wearing of helmets compulsory. But road accidents are not reducing.

If educated people aware of traffic rules and with proper licenses break traffic rules, what can we expect from those who are unware of traffic rules, and those who have not passed a driving test before getting their licenses? What can we expect from drunk drivers? What can we expect from drivers who suffer from road rage?

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streetwisw

I read your article with interest. I have published a book on driving in India. It sets a high standard of driving for all and is good for govt and driving schools.

Thanks

motorbike

Nice information!! Manoj...From my point of view...Major concern at this time is road accidents…We should think how to avoid this problem…follow all road rules, keep your vehicle in good repair, keep alert, take the least traveled way, drive safe. If you follow properly all these then less chance of an accident...What do you think???

gurgaonroads

If one wants to see the “REAL” negligence of the authorities, visit the new Delhi-Gurgaon Highway which has 8 fly-overs in operation.

I guess the construction firm “DS Constructions” has nothing to do with the “Road Safety” agenda and this is possibly the worst accident prone zone in north India.

I have driven in many first world countries and not an authority on road regulations, but coming from a common man/driver’s mouth, who can very well drive in a systematic driving environment, there are more than 300+ "Road Safety" issues on these newly built express lanes.

It’s a pity and also a big shame for the authorities, who have nearly spent over a INR 1000 crores on the construction and not spent more than INR 10,000 (USD 250) on the total road safety aspect.

The Supreme has a job to do, i.e. just passing out instructions and orders. Like the high beam lights are not allowed but who follows this order?

Questioning a common man should be the last issue to deal with.

First, it has to be the traffic police (99% corrupt and uneducated), the licensing authorities (busy making money from illegal commissions by issuing licenses), the middle men (Conmen who act as middle man for the authorities) and pass on the buck to them. The list goes on.

Like someone quoted in a magazine, the cost of 1 life in UK is equivalent to cost of 10,000 human lives in India.

This is the biggest epidemic in India and we all know that neither the government nor any authority is bothered to touch this issue.

The only reason why they keep talking about it is to give a positive impression to the world community that they are aware of the epidemic and doing everything that they can to control it.

They could not even control Dengue Fever; forget about the roads and other important issues.

I say this with a lot of shame. We are a corrupt nation and the most materialistic one. Everyone is running after money and no one seems to care about other important issues.

Be it a Kalam Singh or a Manmohan Khan, everyone is sitting with their fat asses on the tax payers money.

Indian Surely Poised.!

nakul

Your words are up to the mark and express the bitter truth of India. After the 50+ years of independence we are not able to manage our road traffic yet. When I see how people drive on roads then I feel India is not a civilized country. Most of the people blame poor road infrastructure, corrupt traffic cops and RTO officials, increasing human and vehicular population etc for current traffic situation but personally I feel lack of determination (follow traffic rules) is more responsible than any other cause for present traffic situation.