India determined to increase road safety

The number of people losing their lives on the Indian roads is alarming. Indian Ministry of Road Transport & Highways Statistics show that in 2014, nearly 500.000 persons were injured and 140.000 people got killed in road accidents. The analysis of the data showed that about 56 accidents take place every hour in the country and driver’s fault (78.8%) was found the single most important factor causing road accidents. Even more alarming is the fact that 53.8% of the victims are young people aged between 15 and 34 years [1].

In its efforts to protect all road users, the National Government of India presented a new Road Transport and Safety Bill for public comments in August 2014. The document, prepared in consultations with experts from the U.S, Japan, Germany, Singapore, and Britain gives a high priority to road safety. The Bill is now pending in Parliament.

However, citizens themselves need to be aware of the great importance of respecting traffic rules and to embrace safe motoring habits. In this respect, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) organises every year in January a nationwide Road Safety Week. This year, the week from 11 to 17 January focused on “Road Safety – Time for action”. The various causes of road accidents and measures to prevent them were emphasized through several activities involving all types of road users from school and college students to drivers.

Road safety and training in India is also one of the topics to be addressed by the IRU-initiated All-India Smart Move High Level Group in its policy and business recommendations.

[1] Source: Indian Ministry of Road Transport & Highways Statistics