India's Road Safety Challenge
India faces significant road safety challenges despite its economic growth and urbanization, with the country recording 1.68 lakh road accident fatalities in 2022. This results in an alarming 12.2 deaths per 1 lakh population, compared to Japan and the U.K., which have much lower rates. The economic cost of road crashes is estimated at 3% of India's GDP annually.
Constitutional Principle
The foundation of road safety efforts is grounded in the constitutional principle where the right to safe road travel is an integral part of the right to life under Article 21. This mandates a moral and legal obligation on the state to treat road safety as a human right.
Urbanization and Mobility
By 2047, urbanization is expected to increase significantly, with 50% of the population living in urban areas. This will lead to increased vehicle ownership, necessitating people-centric road safety interventions to protect vulnerable users such as pedestrians and cyclists.
Safe System Approach
- Focuses on human vulnerability and error.
- Emphasizes creating a forgiving road environment rather than blaming individual road users.
- Recommends urban street redesigns with features like wider footpaths and cycling tracks.
Government Initiatives
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has introduced several initiatives, including:
- Rectification of over 5,000 black spots on highways.
- Mandatory road safety audits and stricter vehicle safety norms.
- Electronic enforcement through speed cameras and CCTV surveillance.
- Establishment of driving training centers and vehicle fitness centers in each district.
Innovative Funding Models
Innovative funding models are needed to support road safety improvements. A potential approach involves mandating automobile manufacturers to dedicate their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to road safety initiatives for the next 20-25 years.
The Four Es of Road Safety
- Engineering: Improving infrastructure design.
- Enforcement: Strengthening compliance measures.
- Education: Raising awareness and user education.
- Emergency Care: Enhancing response and trauma care systems.
World Bank Report Insights
The World Bank Report 2020 outlines a strategic framework for road safety, estimating a need for $109 billion investment over the next decade to reduce fatalities by 50%. Such investment promises significant social and economic returns.
Vision for Viksit Bharat 2047
India's vision for 2047 focuses on making roads inclusive and safe for all users, prioritizing data-driven policies and accountability in road safety efforts, emphasizing that road safety is essential for sustainable development.