Road Accidents in India: Urgent Causes, Policy Gaps, and Powerful Solutions for Safer Roads
Road Accidents in India: Critical Causes, Policy Gaps, and Effective Solutions for Safer Mobility
Context: India recorded 1,72,900 road accident deaths in 2023, with two-wheeler riders forming 45% of fatalities. Alarmingly, 70% of these victims were not wearing helmets, highlighting poor compliance with basic safety norms.
What are the major causes of road accidents in India?
According to the Road Accidents in India 2023 report (MoRTH), India recorded 1,72,900 road accident deaths in 2023, the highest in the world in absolute numbers. The leading causes include:
- Overspeeding: Accounted for 68.4% of accidents and 68.1% of fatalities in 2023.
- Non-use of safety gear: Nearly 54,568 two-wheeler deaths were due to not wearing helmets, while 16,025 deaths were of occupants without seatbelts.
- Alcohol and drug use: Drunken driving caused 3,674 deaths in 2023.
What emerging patterns do recent accident trends reveal?
The 2023 MoRTH report shows:
- Urban hotspots: The top 10 Indian cities accounted for 41% of accident deaths among million-plus cities.
- Youth at risk: Nearly two-thirds of deaths were in the 18–45 years group, impacting economic productivity.
Rising pedestrian and cyclist fatalities: Delhi recorded an increase in both pedestrian and cyclist deaths in 2024–25, underlining the lack of safe infrastructure for non-motorised transport.
- Vulnerable road users: Two-wheeler riders formed 45% of fatalities, while pedestrians accounted for 20% (35,251 deaths).
- Poor road engineering and enforcement: Experts from IRTE note delays in data usage for corrective measures, leading to continued risks.
Case Study – Delhi: In 2023, pedestrians formed 43% of deaths, while 38% were two-wheeler riders. Cyclists remain vulnerable, with 53 cycling-related deaths in 2024.
Why have policies related to road accidents in India not been fruitful?
Despite frameworks like the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 and the National Road Safety Policy (2010), implementation remains weak:
- Delayed and fragmented data: Accident data is published late, reducing its utility for road engineering and enforcement.
- Weak enforcement of safety laws: Non-compliance with helmet and seatbelt laws continues despite penalties.
- Infrastructure gaps: The Economic Survey 2022–23 highlighted that India has only 2% of the world’s vehicles but accounts for 11% of road deaths, reflecting poor design and a lack of pedestrian/cyclist-friendly roads.
- Limited awareness: Safety campaigns have not effectively changed rider behavior; many use substandard helmets or do not fasten straps.
What measures need to be taken to address the policy gaps?
- Data-driven governance: Establish a real-time national accident database for immediate corrective engineering, as recommended by the Sundar Committee on Road Safety.
- Dedicated infrastructure: Segregated lanes for two-wheelers and cyclists on urban roads to reduce collisions with larger vehicles.
- Stricter enforcement: Use AI-enabled cameras and e-challan systems to ensure compliance with helmet, seatbelt, and speed regulations.
- Awareness & training: Mandatory defensive driving modules in licensing and promotion of BIS-certified helmets.
- Emergency care: Expansion of Good Samaritan Law awareness and better trauma centres along highways can reduce fatalities.
