Unseen Challenges: The Hard Truth About Road Accidents & the Importance of Adhering to Traffic Rules

India boasts the world’s second-largest road network, covering an impressive 63.73 lakh kilometres. The national highways saw a remarkable 60% surge, with four-lane and higher highways increasing from 18,387 km in 2014 to 46,179 km by December 2023. The Road Transport Sector, responsible for approximately 87% of passenger traffic and over 60% of freight movement, also stood out as one of the most cost-effective modes of transportation, catering to both cargo and passengers. And despite the vast road network, the issue of road safety cannot be overstated.

According to the latest Road Accidents Report released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the country witnessed 1,263 accidents and 461 deaths everyday, averaging 53 accidents and 19 deaths per hour. Thus, despite having the potential for mobility growth with the road network expanding across the country, the unseen adversities on our roads demand urgent attention.

Examining the alarming numbers, fatal road accidents claimed about 1.68 lakh lives and left more than 4.48 lakh injured. Drawing parallels, the number of fatalities on Indian roads last year was a little above the seating capacity of the world’s largest football stadium. Distressingly, these fatalities primarily occurred within the 18 to 45 age group, impacting a significant portion of the population contributing to the economy. Thus, the inconspicuous nature of road accidents poses a daunting challenge, given their profound impact on a substantial segment of the population and their economic repercussions.

In the words of Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari, “If a young person dies, his family suffers a big loss. The key to preventing accidents is public awareness about traffic rules. If the entire society gets serious about this, accidents and casualties would go down.” Road accidents directly impact the youth and, consequently, the nation’s future.

Therefore, society must earnestly consider adopting better road behaviour to significantly contribute to saving many young lives.

Despite the government’s collaboration with concerned stakeholders, demonstrated commitment to implementing robust measures, and proactive efforts in adopting modern transportation systems and road safety audits to halve fatalities, limited progress underscores the need to address the root causes behind fatal incidents on roads. Thus, fostering awareness becomes imperative, wherein the root cause would be the need for a behavioural change, highlighting a lack of value for individual lives.

The 2nd edition of Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan (SSA) 2024, a unique public awareness initiative with SaveLIFE Foundation as the knowledge partner, primarily aims to provide insights about road safety through engaging discussions at both regional and national levels. SSA’s guiding principle this year is ‘Samvedana,’ meaning ‘Empathy.’ The objective is to emphasise road safety measures and responsible behaviours to be embraced by vehicle owners, pedestrians, and bystanders. There is a vision to educate citizens about the Good Samaritan Law, providing legal protection to bystanders assisting road accident victims. This is crucial, as the Report indicated that about 70,000 lives could have been saved if bystanders had taken action to help.

Given the magnitude of road injuries and deaths on the rise in India, it is even more critical to disseminate through public awareness the significance of road safety measures. The 2nd edition of Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan (SSA), a unique public awareness initiative with knowledge partner – SaveLIFE Foundation primarily endeavours to provide more insights about road safety through engaging discussions both at regional and national levels and also by conducting school/college activations to make people more aware.

In this edition of SSA, the guiding principle is ‘Samvedana’ meaning ‘Empathy’. The clear objective of the theme within the framework of SSA is to emphasise the responsible measures and behaviour that should be embraced by vehicle owners, pedestrians, and bystanders. As part of the Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan (SSA) initiative, there is a vision to educate citizens about the Good Samaritan Law. This law offers legal protection to bystanders who come forward to assist the victims of road accidents and injuries. Emphasising the importance of bystander intervention becomes crucial, particularly in urban areas where road accidents are more prevalent. The Ministry’s report reveals that about 70,000 lives could have been saved with timely action from bystanders.

Given the susceptibility of densely populated cities to road accidents, the escalating challenges in managing traffic necessitate robust awareness campaigns and penalties to enforce road safety measures. Despite mandated precautions like seatbelts and helmets, a casual attitude among drivers contributes to severe injuries in accidents. Identifying distracted driving, signal violations, and helmet-less riding as major contributors underscores the need for strict enforcement. The report indicates that 40% of lives could have been saved by adhering to safety measures like helmets (29.7%) and seat belts (9.9%), highlighting the importance of instilling responsibility among drivers.

Recognizing the need for implementing stringent rules, especially for hit-and-run cases and head-on collisions, is crucial in protecting both drivers and pedestrians. Overlooking road signage, often due to a lack of awareness, hampers smooth traffic flow. However, these signs play a vital role in offering foresight into potential obstacles. New drivers, initially intimidated, benefit from others adhering to traffic rules, setting examples, and aiding in navigating unfamiliar roads for safe travel. Emphasising jaywalking as a peril underscores the shared responsibility for both pedestrian and vehicular safety.

Ensuring safe road travel is a shared responsibility, the above-mentioned facts emphasise the significance of following traffic rules, as it extends beyond personal safety and creates a ripple effect throughout the community. A culture of responsible driving fosters an environment where roads become safer for everyone.

Hence we have been at the forefront of implementing this critical initiative by fostering partnerships and leveraging media platforms. Such initiatives play a crucial role in educating the public, advocating responsible behaviour, and collectively working towards a safer and more secure road environment. As we move forward, continued collaboration and commitment to road safety will be paramount in building a culture of responsible and cautious road users, contributing to the overall well-being of communities across the nation.

Join Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan 2024 and pledge for road safety!

References:

1. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://morth.nic.in/sites/d efault/files/RA_2022_30_Oct.pdf
2. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://morth.nic.in/sites/d efault/files/RA_2022_30_Oct.pdf
3. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://morth.nic.in/sites/d efault/files/RA_2022_30_Oct.pdf
4. https://morth.nic.in/road-transport
5. https://morth.nic.in/annual-report