The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is set to release updated black spot data for 2023 and 2024. This data is based on the Electronic Detailed Accident Report (e-DAR) and Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD) system. These systems collect real-time accident information from state police to identify hazardous stretches on National Highways (NHs). The release aims to enhance road safety planning and reduce fatalities.
Black Spot Definition and Criteria
A black spot is a 500-metre stretch on a National Highway with a high incidence of serious accidents. It is classified as such if there are five or more accidents involving deaths or grievous injuries, or 10 fatalities within three years. This standard helps focus safety measures on the most dangerous locations.
Evolution of e-DAR and iRAD Systems
The e-DAR/iRAD system was introduced between 2021 and 2022. It allows police to enter accident data in real time using mobile apps. This includes geo-tagging the exact accident location. The system improves accuracy and speed in data collection compared to earlier manual methods.
Data Collection and Validation Process
MoRTH’s Transport Research Wing (TRW) collects and verifies black spot data from states. They cross-check data from state police and the e-DAR portal. Discrepancies have reduced to less than 5% due to regular coordination with state authorities. However, some states like Punjab and Jharkhand still show notable differences.
Recent Black Spot Statistics
Between 2016 and 2022, 13,795 black spots were identified on National Highways. Long-term safety measures have been completed at 5,036 of these locations. The last data set for 2020-22 identified 1,330 critical stretches. For 2024, there remains a 3.96% difference in accident numbers and 4.30% difference in fatalities between TRW and e-DAR data.
Significance for Road Safety Planning
The updated black spot data will help authorities plan targeted interventions to reduce accidents and deaths. Accurate and timely data enables better resource allocation for road engineering, law enforcement, and public awareness campaigns. The integration of technology is key to improving road safety outcomes.
Challenges and Future Directions
Aligning data between state police and central systems remains a challenge. Efforts continue to minimise reporting gaps and ensure uniform standards across states. The use of mobile technology for real-time reporting is expected to expand further. Continuous monitoring and updating of black spots will support dynamic road safety management.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically discuss the role of technology in improving road safety management in India with suitable examples.
- Examine the impact of accurate data collection on public policy formulation and implementation in the transport sector.
- Analyse the challenges of inter-agency coordination in implementing national road safety programmes and suggest solutions.
- Discuss in the light of India’s road accident statistics, the importance of preventive infrastructure versus post-accident emergency response systems.
Answer Hints:
1. Critically discuss the role of technology in improving road safety management in India with suitable examples.
- Introduction of e-DAR/iRAD systems enables real-time, geo-tagged accident data collection by police using mobile apps.
- Technology improves accuracy, timeliness, and reduces manual errors compared to traditional reporting methods.
- Data integration helps identify black spots quickly, allowing focused safety interventions on hazardous stretches.
- Examples include reduction of data discrepancies to under 5% due to digital reporting and coordination efforts.
- Technology facilitates better resource allocation for road engineering, enforcement, and awareness campaigns.
- Challenges include uneven adoption across states and need for continuous system updates and training.
2. Examine the impact of accurate data collection on public policy formulation and implementation in the transport sector.
- Accurate accident data enables evidence-based identification of black spots and high-risk zones on National Highways.
- Data-driven insights guide prioritization of infrastructure improvements and targeted safety measures.
- Improved data reduces discrepancies, increasing trust among stakeholders and enabling coordinated action.
- Timely availability of data (e.g., for 2023-24) allows proactive planning rather than reactive responses.
- Helps monitor effectiveness of implemented policies and refine strategies based on updated statistics.
- Supports allocation of funds and resources efficiently, enhancing overall road safety outcomes.
3. Analyse the challenges of inter-agency coordination in implementing national road safety programmes and suggest solutions.
- Discrepancies between state police data and central databases like e-DAR/iRAD show coordination gaps.
- Variations in reporting standards and technological adoption across states (e.g., Punjab, Jharkhand) complicate data harmonization.
- Communication and data sharing delays hinder unified, timely decision-making and planning.
- Solutions include regular multi-level meetings, capacity building, and standardization of data protocols.
- Integrating training for police and engineers on digital tools improves data quality and cooperation.
- Establishing a centralized monitoring cell to oversee data alignment and address discrepancies promptly.
4. Discuss in the light of India’s road accident statistics, the importance of preventive infrastructure versus post-accident emergency response systems.
- Preventive infrastructure (e.g., black spot rectification) addresses root causes, reducing accident frequency and severity.
- Data shows 13,795 black spots identified, with 5,036 rectified, indicating infrastructure’s role in accident reduction.
- Emergency response systems save lives post-accident but do not prevent crashes from occurring.
- Real-time accident reporting via e-DAR improves emergency response efficiency and location accuracy.
- Balanced approach needed – robust preventive measures complemented by effective post-accident care to minimize fatalities.
- Long-term road safety depends more on proactive infrastructure improvements guided by accurate data.
