The World Health Organization (WHO) has published an informative piece known as The Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023. The report contains crucial data and insights concerning road traffic fatalities and safety worldwide.
Key Highlights of the Report
The report noted a 5% global decrease in road traffic deaths from 2010 to 2021. While 108 UN member nations reported a decline in road traffic fatalities, India saw a 15% increase. Additionally, ten countries, including Belarus, Brunei Darussalam, and Denmark, successfully reduced road traffic fatalities by over 50%.
Regional Distribution of Deaths
As per the report, 28% of global road traffic deaths occurred in the WHO South-East Asia Region. Low- and middle-income countries suffered disproportionately, with these nations accounting for 90% of deaths despite possessing only 1% of the world’s motor vehicles.
Vulnerable Road Users
Vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, motorcycle riders, and cyclists, accounted for 53% of all road traffic fatalities. Pedestrian deaths increased by 3%, while cyclist fatalities rose by nearly 20% from 2010 to 2021.
Progress on Safety Standards and Policies
Only six countries have laws that meet the WHO’s best practices for all risk factors. Meanwhile, two-thirds of UN Member States have laws covering at least one risk factor. However, only a small number of countries have legislation addressing key vehicle safety features and requiring safety inspections for road users.
Call for Action: The Growing Global Motor-Vehicle Fleet
The report anticipates the global motor-vehicle fleet to double by 2030, emphasizing the necessity for robust safety regulations and infrastructure advancements. The findings serve as a benchmark for the United Nations Decade of Action 2021â2030 target of halving road traffic deaths by 2030.
Global and Indian Initiatives Related to Road Safety
Global initiatives include the Brasilia Declaration on Road Safety, which was signed in 2015, with India being a signatory. The UN General Assembly also adopted the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, aiming at preventing at least half of road traffic fatalities and injuries by 2030.
In India, several acts have been integrated to improve road safety. The Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, 2019, increases penalties for traffic violations and provides for a Motor Vehicle Accident Fund. The Carriage by Road Act, 2007, regulates common carriers and their liability. The Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2000, controls land within the National Highways and traffic movement. Finally, the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1998 has been enacted for the development, maintenance, and management of National Highways.