India’s road fatality

Source-This post on India’s road fatality has been created based on the article “We should mobilize resources to bend India’s road fatality trend” published in “Live Mint” on 15 May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus–GS Paper-2– Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources

Context-The article highlights the urgent need to mobilize resources for minimizing fatalities in road accident in India. Indian Road Fatality

What is the present status of road accidents and fatalities in India?

1) According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the number of fatalities rose to 168,000 in 2022 from about 150,000 the previous year.

2) As per the World Bank, India loses more than 5% of its GDP to road accidents, and more than 80% of those affected are in the productive age group.

3) As per WHO (World Health Organization) India has the highest road fatalities, despite having only 1% of the world’s vehicles.

What are the reasons for India’s high road fatalities?

1) Reports suggest that half of those killed in accidents could not receive appropriate medical assistance in the ‘golden hour’.

2) Trauma care emergency services are not always available along national highways.

3) There are lapses in terms of time taken for evacuation and quality of treatment.

A detailed article on road accident in India can be read here.

What measures has the government introduced to address road safety?

1) The government has introduced measures such as steep penalties and prison sentences for traffic violations under the Motor Vehicles Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

2) A committee for road safety headed by a retired Supreme Court judge was set up by the government.

What should be the way forward?

A Johns Hopkins study (2012) concluded that victims taken to hospitals by air are more likely to survive than those transported by ground.

1) Learn from best global practices-

A) In some states in the US, the police have integrated helicopter-based traffic surveillance with medical evacuation procedures, with trained pilots and paramedics on standby.

B) A trained team of paramedics should reach the accident site to conduct a ‘stay and play’ exercise, stabilizing victims before transporting them to trauma care units via well-equipped ambulances.

C) Recipient trauma hospitals with critical care super-specialties should be pre-identified and have suitable landing facilities.

D) In India, Madhya Pradesh government has initiated such an emergency service as a pioneering effort

2) Standardizing Emergency Measures Nationwide- The central government should define protocols and standard operating procedures for undertaking such measures in a systemic and coordinated manner across the country.

3) Financial Solutions -Innovative insurance options for accident treatment should be provided as per the financial capabilities of an individual.

4) Dedicated Fund Allocation– The government should allocate a small portion of the significant funds that are earmarked for road construction towards addressing the rising number of road fatalities.

5) Reassessing reasons -There is a common misconception about bad roads being the prominent reason behind road accidents. However, improvements in the road quality and length of expressways and highways have led to higher vehicle speeds and recklessness, contributing to accidents.  Thus, there is a need to find out correct reasons behind increasing road fatalities in India.

Question for practice

What are the reasons for India’s high road fatalities? What steps can be taken to minimize it?