Importance of road safety

Source: The post importance of road safety has been created, based on the article “Crash course: There must be better monitoring of the road-worthiness of transport vehicles” published in “The Hindu” on 13th July 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Governance-Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Context: The article discusses a tragic bus accident in Uttar Pradesh that killed 18 people. It highlights issues like expired bus insurance and lack of safety features. It stresses the importance of road safety, proper vehicle maintenance, and the need for stricter enforcement and better data reporting by authorities.

For detailed information on Road Accidents in India read this article here

Why Is Road Safety Important?

1. Protects Lives: Road safety is crucial because it protects lives. In 2022, 1.71 lakh people died, and 4.23 lakh were injured in road accidents across India.
2. Prevents Accidents: Proper road safety measures like good road design, speed control, and adequate visibility can prevent accidents. The bus accident in Uttar Pradesh, where 18 people died, highlights the fatal consequences of neglecting these aspects.

What Should Be Done to Improve Road Safety?

1. Enforce Existing Standards: Local authorities need skilled personnel and proper equipment. They should impose harsher penalties on transport operators who fail to meet safety requirements.
2. Prevent Dilution of Standards: Municipal bodies should uphold the safety standards set by engineers without compromise to benefit local businesses.
3. Improve Data Collection: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways should collect and publish better data on vehicle registrations, safety certificates, and accident reports.
4. Increase Public Awareness: The public should know how transport vehicle health is checked and have access to the latest test reports.
5. Speed Control: Controlling speed is vital; it is implicated in most deadly accidents. Measures like speed-breakers and increased police monitoring have been effective in reducing accidents.

Question for practice:

Discuss the measures that can be taken to improve road safety in India.