Road Safety Trends and Challenges in India 2024

India witnessed a rise in road accidents and fatalities in 2024, continuing a concerning trend despite efforts to improve safety. The provisional data released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) reveal key patterns across states, denoting both progress and persistent challenges in road safety.

Overview of Road Accident Data in 2024

In 2024, India recorded approximately 4.73 lakh road accidents and 1.70 lakh deaths across 35 states and Union Territories. These figures are provisional as data from West Bengal remains pending. When included, national totals are expected to surpass 2023’s numbers of 4.80 lakh accidents and 1.73 lakh fatalities. The data were compiled by the Transport Research Wing using police reports formatted per United Nations standards.

States with Declining Accident and Fatality Rates

Nine states and UTs showed improvements in both accidents and deaths. Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab led among larger states with notable reductions. For example, Gujarat cut accidents from 16,349 to 15,588 and fatalities from 7,854 to 7,717. Smaller regions like Nagaland and Jammu & Kashmir also reported decreases. This dual decline signals effective local measures and enforcement in these areas.

Mixed Trends in Several States

Some states experienced a decline in accidents but a rise in fatalities, or vice versa. Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka saw fewer crashes but more deaths. Kerala reported more accidents but fewer fatalities, indicating possible improvements in emergency response or vehicle safety. Delhi and Ladakh had fewer accidents but increased fatalities, pointing to other risk factors such as road conditions or vehicle speeds.

States with High Accident Severity

Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest fatality rate in 2024, with over half of its accidents resulting in death. This is slightly down from 53.11% in 2023 but remains alarming. Rajasthan and Gujarat also showed high accident-to-fatality ratios. In contrast, Kerala reported the lowest severity, with one death per 13 accidents, reflecting better road safety management and healthcare access.

National and Global Context

Despite safety initiatives, India remains the country with the highest absolute number of road deaths globally. Relative to population, India’s fatality rate exceeds many countries including China and Nigeria. The data tell systemic issues such as poor infrastructure and inadequate project planning. Civil engineering flaws and substandard Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have been cited as major contributors to road fatalities by government officials.

Challenges in Road Safety Management

Key challenges include inconsistent enforcement of traffic laws, poor road design and maintenance, and insufficient public awareness. The rising number of vehicles and urbanisation intensify risks. Effective solutions require coordinated efforts across states, improved engineering standards, and investment in emergency medical services.

Steps Towards Improvement

States showing positive trends show the impact of targeted interventions. These include better traffic policing, use of technology for monitoring, stricter vehicle safety norms and public education campaigns. Continued data collection and analysis remain crucial for identifying risk factors and designing evidence-based policies.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Critically discuss the role of infrastructure and civil engineering in reducing road accidents and fatalities in India.
2. Analyse the impact of urbanisation and motorisation on road safety in developing countries like India.
3. Estimate the effectiveness of state-level road safety measures in India and suggest improvements in policy implementation.
4. Examine the challenges in data collection and reporting for road accidents in India and how they affect policy formulation.

Answer Hints:

1. Critically discuss the role of infrastructure and civil engineering in reducing road accidents and fatalities in India.

1. Poor civil engineering and substandard Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) contribute to road accidents and fatalities, as noted by the Union Minister.
2. Defective road design, inadequate signage, lack of pedestrian facilities, and poor maintenance increase crash risks.
3. Quality infrastructure including well-planned roads, proper drainage, and safety features (barriers, lighting) reduces accident severity.
4. Engineering errors can cause hazardous road conditions leading to higher fatality rates, e.g., Uttar Pradesh’s high accident severity.
5. Investment in modern engineering standards and continuous audit of DPRs is essential for safer roads.
6. Integration of technology (smart traffic signals, surveillance) in infrastructure enhances monitoring and enforcement.

2. Analyse the impact of urbanisation and motorisation on road safety in developing countries like India.

1. Rapid urbanisation leads to increased vehicle density, causing congestion and higher accident potential.
2. Motorisation growth outpaces infrastructure development, resulting in unsafe roads and inadequate traffic management.
3. Urban areas often witness mixed traffic (pedestrians, two-wheelers, heavy vehicles), raising complexity and accident risks.
4. Higher speeds on poorly designed urban roads contribute to fatal crashes despite fewer accidents in some cases.
5. Increased urban population demands better emergency response and healthcare to reduce fatalities.
6. Developing countries face challenges in enforcing traffic laws amid rapid motorisation and changing road user behavior.

3. Estimate the effectiveness of state-level road safety measures in India and suggest improvements in policy implementation.

1. Nine states/UTs showed dual reductions in accidents and fatalities, indicating some success of localized interventions.
2. Measures like stricter traffic policing, public education, and vehicle safety norms contributed to improvements in Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, etc.
3. Mixed trends in states like Kerala and Karnataka show partial effectiveness, denoting gaps in emergency response or enforcement.
4. Policy implementation suffers from inconsistent enforcement, inadequate funding, and lack of coordination among agencies.
5. Improvement requires data-driven policies, better inter-state coordination, and investment in road infrastructure and EMS.
6. Use of technology (CCTV, speed detection) and regular impact evaluation can enhance policy outcomes.

4. Examine the challenges in data collection and reporting for road accidents in India and how they affect policy formulation.

1. Data collection depends on police reports, which may be incomplete or delayed, affecting accuracy and timeliness.
2. Variability in reporting standards across states causes inconsistency and hinders comparative analysis.
3. Pending data from large states like West Bengal delays comprehensive national assessment and response.
4. Underreporting of minor accidents and fatalities skews severity ratios and policy priorities.
5. Standardized formats (UNESCAP/APRAD) help but require strict adherence and capacity building at state levels.
6. Reliable data is crucial for evidence-based policymaking, resource allocation, and monitoring effectiveness of interventions.