Road Accidents

Road accidents in India represent a major public health and socio-economic challenge, accounting for one of the highest rates of traffic-related fatalities in the world. Despite rapid progress in infrastructure and vehicle technology, the country continues to face an alarming increase in road accidents, primarily due to human error, poor road design, inadequate enforcement of traffic laws, and low awareness of road safety practices. The issue is not merely statistical but also humanitarian, as it affects millions of families and imposes significant economic losses annually.

Background and Overview

India has one of the largest road networks globally, covering more than 6 million kilometres and carrying over 65% of freight and 85% of passenger traffic. However, the rapid expansion of vehicles—without corresponding improvements in road safety measures—has led to an increase in traffic accidents.
According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) report “Road Accidents in India – 2023”, over 4.6 lakh road accidents occurred in 2022, resulting in approximately 1.68 lakh deaths and 4 lakh injuries. This means, on average, one road accident every minute and one death every four minutes in the country.
India accounts for about 11% of global road fatalities, although it has only about 1% of the world’s vehicles, indicating the gravity of the issue.

Major Causes of Road Accidents

The causes of road accidents in India are multi-dimensional, involving human, vehicular, infrastructural, and environmental factors.

1. Human Error (Over 80% of cases):
   • Over-speeding: The leading cause of fatalities, accounting for nearly 70% of deaths.
   • Drunken Driving: Impaired judgment and slower reaction times contribute significantly to crashes.
   • Distracted Driving: Mobile phone use and inattentiveness are increasingly common causes.
   • Non-usage of Helmets and Seat Belts: A major reason for fatal head and torso injuries.
   • Violation of Traffic Rules: Ignoring signals, wrong-side driving, and overtaking from unsafe sides are frequent violations.
2. Vehicular Factors:
   • Poor vehicle maintenance, defective brakes or tyres, and lack of safety features in older vehicles.
   • Overloaded trucks and buses that compromise balance and braking capacity.
3. Road Infrastructure:
   • Potholes, poor lighting, lack of signage, and inadequate pedestrian facilities contribute to crashes.
   • Sharp curves, narrow roads, and improper merging lanes on highways often cause high-impact collisions.
4. Environmental Conditions:
   • Fog, heavy rain, and slippery surfaces reduce visibility and vehicle control.
5. Systemic Failures:
   • Weak enforcement of road safety laws, inadequate driver training, and limited emergency medical response.

Statistical Analysis

The MoRTH 2023 report identifies several key patterns:

• Age Group Most Affected: 18–45 years account for about 67% of all fatalities—representing the most economically productive segment of society.
• Vehicle Type Involved: Two-wheelers contribute to about 44% of total deaths, followed by cars (13%), pedestrians (19%), and trucks/lorries (9%).
• Road Type: National and State Highways, though comprising less than 5% of the total road network, account for nearly 55% of fatalities.
• Time of Occurrence: Most accidents occur between 6 PM and 9 PM, coinciding with high traffic and poor visibility.
• State-wise Trends: Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka report the highest number of accidents. However, states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh show the highest fatality rates relative to accidents due to inadequate trauma care and emergency response.

Economic and Social Impact

The World Bank estimates that road accidents cost India approximately 3–5% of its GDP annually, equivalent to billions of dollars in productivity loss, medical expenses, and property damage. Beyond economic loss, road accidents have a devastating impact on families—especially in rural and low-income households where victims are often primary earners.

Legal and Policy Framework

The Indian government has introduced several laws, policies, and institutional mechanisms to improve road safety:

1. Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019:
   • Introduced stricter penalties for traffic violations.
   • Strengthened driver licensing processes.
   • Mandated electronic monitoring and enforcement.
   • Provided legal protection to Good Samaritans assisting accident victims.
2. National Road Safety Policy (2010):
   • Emphasises a multi-sectoral approach to road safety.
   • Promotes awareness, safer infrastructure, vehicle standards, and emergency medical care.
3. National Road Safety Board (NRSB):
   • Established to advise on policy formulation, standardisation, and enforcement.
4. District Road Safety Committees:
   • Formed to implement road safety measures at the local level.
5. Other Initiatives:
   • e-Challan System: For transparent and digital enforcement of traffic violations.
   • Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD): Collects real-time data to analyse causes and trends.
   • National Highway Accident Relief Service Scheme (NHARSS): Provides ambulances and cranes for emergency response.

Road Safety Campaigns and Awareness

Government and non-government organisations have initiated various campaigns:

• “Sadak Suraksha – Jeevan Raksha” (Road Safety – Life Safety) campaign for public awareness.
• National Road Safety Week, observed annually to promote traffic discipline and safe driving habits.
• Collaborations with schools, corporates, and NGOs to promote helmet and seat belt use, defensive driving, and pedestrian safety.
• Introduction of Road Safety Clubs in educational institutions to instil awareness among youth.

Technological and Infrastructure Improvements

Technological interventions are gradually enhancing road safety:

• Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS): Real-time traffic monitoring, speed detection, and red-light violation cameras.
• Black Spot Identification and Correction: MoRTH has identified over 5,000 accident-prone sites for rectification.
• Crash Barriers and Reflective Markings: Improved highway design standards.
• Vehicle Safety Features: Implementation of airbags, anti-lock braking systems (ABS), and electronic stability control (ESC).
• Emergency Medical Response: Development of a unified national emergency number (112) and faster ambulance dispatch.

Challenges in Implementation

Despite policy reforms, several challenges hinder effective road safety management:

• Inconsistent enforcement of traffic laws.
• Poor road user behaviour and lack of safety culture.
• Inadequate driver training and licensing integrity.
• Limited coordination among agencies (transport, police, health).
• Insufficient trauma care facilities in rural areas.
• Underreporting of accidents and inaccurate data collection.

Recommendations and Way Forward

To significantly reduce road accidents, India must adopt a comprehensive and evidence-based approach:

1. Strengthening Enforcement: Use of automated systems for detecting violations and transparent penalty collection.
2. Education and Behavioural Change: Inclusion of road safety education in school curricula.
3. Engineering Improvements: Safer road design, pedestrian pathways, and proper lighting.
4. Post-Accident Care: Establish trauma centres along highways and ensure the golden hour response.
5. Data-Driven Policy: Regular publication and analysis of accurate accident data.
6. Corporate and Community Engagement: Encourage road safety audits and awareness campaigns.