Sandeep Kumar is a Professor & Ex-Head, of the Department of Economics, D.D.U. Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur Nikhil Kumar Gautam is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Economics, Sant Vinoba P.G. College, Deoria

This article presents an analysis and status of road accidents in India to help create awareness, formulate suitable policies, take adequate measures, and assist informed decision-making in road safety. The article concludes that road safety success requires active cooperation and participation of all stakeholders.

Road Accidents are one of the leading causes of death, disability, and hospitalization of people worldwide in general and Indian perspective. Considering it as a global concern, in September 2020, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution A/RES/74/299, “Improving Global Road Safety,” proclaiming ‘The Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030’, with the ambitious target to preventing at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. At least one out of ten people killed on the road across the world is from India, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The cost of road accidents is borne not only by the victim and family but by the economy in terms of untimely death, injuries, disabilities, and loss of potential income. With rising motorization and expanding road network, travel risks and traffic exposure grow at a much faster rate, as the growth of registered vehicles always outnumbers population growth and new roads constructed.

As per the “Road Accidents in India 2020”, there were 3,66,138 unfortunate road accidents during 2020, which claimed, 1,31,714 lives and caused injuries to 3,48,714 persons. However, owing to continuous efforts of the Ministry of Road, Transport & Highways (MoRTH) and various other related organizations as well as stakeholders, who have been working together towards the common goal of road safety, the total number of road accidents has declining trend since 2016 except for a marginal increase registered in 2018. Similarly, the total number of injuries due to road accidents has been declining since 2016.

The Ministry that Considers Road Accidents

Ministry of Road, Transport and Highway (MoRTH) an apex organization under the Central Government, is entrusted with the task of formulating and administering in consultation with other central ministries/departments, State Governments/Union Territories Administrations, organizations, and individuals, policies for road transport, National Highways, and Transport research. The ministry has two wings: The Road Wing and the Transport Wing of which, Transport Wing considers the road accidents in India.

Current Status of Road Accidents in India

The Transport Research Wing (TRW) of MoRTH is responsible for bringing out the annual publication on road accidents in India. Here in this article, the data on road accidents has been taken from the MoRTH’s latest report “Road Accidents in India 2020”.

Broad Profile of Road Accidents in India

According to the report, a total number of 3,66,138 road accidents have been reported by States & Union Territories during the calendar year 2020, claiming 1,31,714 lives and causing injuries to 3,48,279 persons. The number of road accidents in 2020 is lower by 18.5% on average compared to the previous year, 2019. Similarly, the number of injuries and deaths on account of road accidents declined by 12.8 percent and 22.8 percent, respectively. The figure in Table 1 translates, on an average, into 1003 accidents and 360 deaths every day or 42 accidents and 15 deaths every hour in this country.

Road Category Wise Distribution of Accidents

The report reveals a total number of 1,37,191 accidents occurred on National Highways (NH) in 2020, registering a decrease of 15.1 percent relative to the corresponding period last year. Subsequently, the total number of persons killed on NH decreased from 53,872 in 2019 to 47,984 in 2020, recorded a decline in growth by 10.9 % on an average relative to same period previous year (Table-2). Less number of accidents and fatalities were reported on State highways and other roads during 2020 as compare to the same period in 2019.

Brief Profile of Road Accidents in States, 2020 vis-à-vis 2019

In the State front, the state of Tamil Nadu with 45,484 accidents (12.4%) has recorded the highest number of road accidents in 2020, however, the number of persons killed in road accidents has been highest in the state of Uttar Pradesh (19,149 i.e., 14.5%). In the road wise distribution again Tamil Nadu with 15,269 accidents (13.1%) recorded the highest number of accidents on National Highways in 2020 followed by Uttar Pradesh (13,695 and 11.8%). In respect of fatalities, Uttar Pradesh topped the states with 7859 (16.4%) fatalities followed by Maharashtra (3528 and 7.4%). Number of Accidents and Persons Killed Classified by the type of Impacting Vehicles (Crime Vehicle) Accidents and fatalities classified by type of imparting vehicles (crime vehicles) fell down in 2020 compare to same period in 2019 except for bicycles. Vehicles’ category wise break up reveals two- wheelers accounted for the highest share in total accidents and fatalities with 43.7 % and 42.3% respectively in 2020. Corresponding figure was at 37.2 % and 37.1% respectively for same period in 2019. Buses accounted for highest decline in number of accidents and fatality in 2020. Pedestrian road users accounted for 17.8% of persons killed in road accidents during 2020.

A general glimpse on these data shown out that the accidents and fatalities happened in the year 2020 vis-à-vis year 2019 is declining with a good amount, but it is not the whole picture. Year 2020 is the year of pandemic and lockdowns, the vehicle movement in the year is low that the year 2019.
But, the accidents and fatalities in the year 2020 has also an issue of concern for the MoRTH and for India as well. The ambitious target of United Nations of preventing at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030, is still far to achieve for most of the developing nations including India. In this perspective, Government of India and its MoRTH are making their best effort to find the cause roots of road accidents and tackle these causes to prevent the road accidents and fatalities across the country.

Causes of Road Accidents

Road accidents are multi-causal and are the result of an interplay of various factors. These can broadly
be categorized into those relating to:

1. Human Error
2. Road Conditions/Environment and
3. Vehicular Conditions
4. These factors act in an interactive manner to cause road accidents.

I. Human Error: – Accidents caused by human error include

1. Traffic Rule violation: –
   Road accidents attributable to various type of traffic rules violations reveals that ‘over-speeding’
   constitute the main violation while ‘driving on wrong side/lane’ indiscipline is the second violation
   associated with accidents, accident-related deaths, and injuries.
2. Driving without valid driver license
   Vehicles driving by untrained and unqualified drivers are serious traffic hazards. Though the problem is
   basically an enforcement issue, it must also be addressed with better facilities and opportunities for
   training/skilling and evaluation/testing.
3. No-use of safety devices
4. Non-usage of safety devices such as helmets and seatbelts do not cause accidents but are critical for averting fatal and grievous injuries in the  event of road occurrence accidents.

II. Accidents by Road Conditions/Environment
The category of road environment includes

1. Accidents happening in a particular geographical area (residential, institutional, market/commercial area etc.,) Residential, institutional, and commercial areas tend to have traffic congestion and hence, higher exposure to road accidents. Data shows that residential area is second only after open area for more accidents and deaths.
2. Those related to the type of road features including straight, curved, steep, etc., Road features such as sharp curve, potholes and steep grade tend to be accident prone because it takes skills, extra care, and alertness to negotiate these road features.
3. Types of junction & types of traffic control Road junctions are points where traffic merges and hence are prone to accidents. Within the junction category, ‘T-Junction’ accounts for the largest share of accidents, person killed and injured. All junction types have different type of traffic control measures such as traffic light signals, blinkers, and uncontrolled signals. The data reveals highest number of accidents, person killed and injured took place on uncontrolled crossings.
4. Weather conditions Weather conditions affects road surface condition and the visibility of the motorist, thereby increasing the chances of mistakes. Adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain, thick fog and hail storms make driving riskier as visibility reduces and road surface gets slippery.

III. Accident classified by Vehicular Conditions
Age of vehicles involved in road accidents is meant to through some light on prevalence of aged or over-
aged vehicles on the road, accidents due to vehicle defect, assuming that old vehicles tend to have more
frequent malfunction, and the number and share of old vehicles in total accidents.

Road Accident Mitigation Measures taken by MoRTH

India is committed to bring down fatalities from road accidents. The road accidents are multi-causal which requires multi-pronged measures to mitigate the problems through concerted efforts of all agencies of both Central Government and State Governments. Road accidents measures which are within the purview of the Ministry of Road, Transport & Highways include road engineering design for safety, proper road making and signages, safety standards of vehicles like use of seat belts, helmets, etc., education and awareness campaign and programs. The Ministry has formulated a multi-pronged strategy to address the issue of road safety based on education, engineering (both of road and vehicles), enforcement and emergency care. The Various accidents mitigation measures taken up by the MoRTH in the recent past are given below –

I. Education Measures:

A. Publicity and Awareness Campaig:

a) A Road Safety Week and dedicated Month has been observed at massive level across the entire National Highway network under National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) across the country every year. At this yearly event, important activities are carried out such as, distribution of hand bills/pamphlets on traffic rules, display of road safety messages on the banners, conduct workshops/trainings on first aid, and many more activities.

b) Road safety Awareness Campaign – The MoRTH implements a scheme for undertaking publicity measures and awareness campaign on road safety in order to educate road users through the electronic media, print media, NGOs and other organisations, etc.

II. Engineering (both road and vehicles) measures
a) Identification and ratification of accident blackspots
b) Flyovers, underpasses, foot over bridges, service roads, etc. are being constructed wherever required
c) Traffic calming measures such as traffic warning signs, delineators, rod studs, bar marking, humps at approach road, etc. are taken at vulnerable sections of NH to reduce accident fatalities
d) Emergency/medical facilities for road accident victims.
e) Road safety audit of all highway projects at all stages i.e., design, construction and operation & maintenance stages.

III. Training and Capacity Building Capacity building on safety measures through training of NHAI field officers / concessionaries / contractors / consultant engaged in NHAI project work throughout India.

IV. Speed Control NHAI is taking several road engineering / traffic calming measures to curb speed minor road / NHs such as Rumble Strips, speed limit signs, speed brakers, etc.

V. Enforcement Measures

A. The Motor Vehicle Act
The Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 is the principal instrument through which road transport is regulated in the country. The Act has been amended after thirty years by The Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act, 2019. By empowering States, the Act is expected to bring reform in the various segment such as:

a) Strengthening enforcement and improve road safety
b) Speedy Assistance to accident victims
c) Simplification and citizen facilitation
d) Strengthening Public transport
e) Automation and computerization
f) Penalties and citizen facilitation

Conclusion and Way Forward

Today road accidents are one of the leading causes of death, disabilities, and hospitalization with severe socio-economic costs across the country. With rising motorization and expanding road network, travel risks and traffic exposure grow at much faster rate than before. As per the “Road Accidents in India 2020”, there were 3,66,138 unfortunate incidences of road accidents during 2020 which claimed 1,31,714 lives and caused injuries to 3,48,279 persons. However, owing to continuous efforts of the MoRTH and various other related organisations, who have been working together towards the common goal of road safety, the total number of road accidents and injuries has been declining in the year 2020 vis-à-vis 2019. The long stretch of lockdown imposed by the government during the pandemic might also be a factor contributing towards the sharp reduction in these indicators. However, the declining trend of road accidents, fatalities and injuries can be seen since 2016 except the year 2018 which registered a marginal increase in the number of road accidents. Maintaining this trend would, require continued thrust on the proactive approach towards road safety by taking along all stakeholders including MoRTH, NGOs, Citizens, and others because the success of road safety initiatives requires active cooperation and participation of all.

References: –

• Mohan D. (2009), “Road Safety in India: Challenges and Opportunities”, University of Michigan, Transportation Research Institute
• Cather C. (2007), “Faster, Better, Cheaper & Cleaner: The Dynamics driving the global automotive industry”, Delhi: CSM Worldwide
•  Kopits, E. & Cropper, M. (2005), “Traffic fatalities and economic growth”, Accident Analysis and Prevention, 37, 169-178
• Mohan D. (2004), “The Road Ahead: Traffic Injuries and fatalities in India”, New Delhi, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Transport Research and Injury Prevention Programme
• Sivak M. and Tsimhoni, O, (2000), “Improving traffic safety: Conceptual consideration for successful action”, Journal of Safety Research, 39, 43-457
• Transport Research Wing, (2020), “Road Accidents in India 2020” MoRTH, Government of India
• Transport Research Wing, (2019), “Road Accidents in India 2019” MoRTH, Government of India
• https://morth.nic.in/group-ministers-road-safety-and-road-transport
• https://www.mygov.in/campaigns/national-road-safety
•  https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/road-safety-mass-media-campaigns-a-toolkit