Rear guard action: Car accident-related deaths can be drastically reduced by the use of seat belts

Source: The post is based on the following articles

“Rear guard action: Car accident-related deaths can be drastically reduced by the use of seat belts” published in The Hindu on 6^th September 2022.

“Fasten rear seat belts” published in The Times of India on 6^th September 2022.

“Unsafe at any speed: Safety rules need to be tightened” published in the Business Standard on 6^th September 2022.

Syllabus: GS 2 – Social Issues – Road accidents.

Relevance: About car accident-related deaths.

News: The tragic death of former Tata Sons chairman in a car accident has turned the spotlight again on lax safety rules for car passengers in India.

About India’s car accident-related deaths

According to the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, India is among the global top 10 in terms of road accident deaths. Some 1,50,000 people die in road accidents each year.

The road and highways ministry’s road accidents report for 2020 reveals that 15,100 drivers and passengers were killed due to the non-use of seat belts.

Almost 17,800 travellers in four-wheelers were killed that year. Hence, the majority of these deaths of drivers and passengers could have been prevented had seat belts and airbags been deployed. 

What are the Central Motor Vehicle Rules on seat belts?

Both front and rear seat belts have been mandatory under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules but the rule is rarely enforced. A study in 2019 across 11 cities revealed that only 7% of respondents said they used rear seat belts and only 27% were aware that their use was mandatory.

Why rear seat belts are essential to prevent car accident-related deaths?

A study in the US shows that rear seat occupants were eight times more likely to suffer serious injuries in a mishap if they did not wear seat belts. This is because, a) Rear seat belts slow down the dangerous forward momentum. b) A rear seat belt can act as a check against a sudden, violent force.

Safety research shows that wearing rear seat belts also reduces the risk for front passengers, who otherwise can be injured by rear passengers being thrown forward.

What does India need to tighten the Safety rules to reduce car accident-related deaths?

Indian cars are less safer: This is because,

a) Industry reluctant to provide safety features: The car industry has been arguing that the additional safety requirements — principally the deployment of six airbags — will push up the cost of cars at a time when the industry is struggling against sluggish demand.

Note: The introduction of mandatory front seat belts and airbags had been met with objections until car companies discovered that there was no correlation between safety features and demand. 

b) The state of the small car market: The small car market of India consists of the most unsafe vehicles on Indian roads today. The manufacturers have steadily reduced the thickness of the bodywork in the interest of cost savings is a cause of worry.

c) Double standards of car makers: The manufacturers do not add safety features to cars they make for the Indian market, though all safety features are added to export models.

Growth of highways: The proliferation of six-lane highways all over India has meant that speed limits have risen to 100 kmph. National highways constitute only 2% of the total length of roads in India, they contribute to 36% of fatalities.

Proven reports: A study by IIT-Delhi estimated that “air-bag deployment reduced mortality by 63%… lap-shoulder-belt use reduced mortality by 72%, and combined air-bag and seatbelt use reduced mortality by more than 80%.

What should be done to reduce car accident-related deaths?

Role of car manufacturers: The car industry should accept the government proposal to mandate a) The introduction of Y-belts for middle rear seat passengers b) The deployment of side airbags in all cars irrespective of car size.

All cars must come with built-in warning beeps for both front and rear seat belts.

Enforcing India-specific and effective road safety policies: These include a) Looking at composite factors such as poor road design, b) Maintenance of road and traffic infrastructure in fixing responsibility for accidents, c) Removal of medians on intercity highways and replacing them with steel guard rails or wire rope barriers.