India has been grappling with road accidents leading to significant fatalities and injuries. Recently, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways unveiled the World Bank Report, “Traffic Crash Injuries And Disabilities: The Burden on India Society”, prepared in conjunction with NGO-Save Life Foundation. The survey comprised data from four Indian states: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra.
Key Findings of the World Bank Report
The World Bank’s study sets forth alarming statistics about global deaths due to road accidents. These mishaps are the eighth leading causality worldwide. The fatality rate is three times higher in low-income countries than in high-income ones.
India accounts for 11% of global road accident deaths, the highest globally. The country witnesses about 450,000 road crashes annually, resulting in 150,000 fatalities.
Economic Impact of Road Accidents in India
Road accidents have both direct and indirect economic impacts. India estimates an economic loss of 3.14% of its GDP owing to these incidents. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) estimates, the socio-economic cost of road accidents is 0.77% of India’s GDP. Most tragically, 76.2% of those killed belong to the prime working age between 18-45 years.
Social Impact of Road Accidents
At an individual level, road crashes impose a severe financial burden, pushing entire households, even those not classified as poor, into poverty and debt. Each death results in almost seven months of income loss for poor families, entrapping them in a poverty-debt cycle.
The most susceptible are the Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs), mainly daily wage workers or those involved in casual, unorganised labour. They bear a significant burden of road crashes, with more than half of all deaths and serious injuries.
Gender Specific Impact of Road Accidents
Women shoulder a heavy load in accident-hit families, often undertaking extra work, assuming increased responsibilities, and performing caregiving activities. About 50% of women experience a severe reduction in their household income post-crash. Additionally, 40% have reported a change in their working pattern, with 11% taking on additional work to tackle the financial crisis.
Rural-Urban Discrepancy in Road Accident Impact
The income drop for low-income rural households (56%) is much harsher compared to the urban low-income (29.5%) and high-income rural households (39.5%).
Global Measures to Curb Road Accidents
On a global scale, several measures have been adopted to reduce road accidents. These include the Brasilia Declaration on Road Safety (2015), the UN’s declaration of 2011-2020 as the decade for Road Safety, and the biennial UN Global Road Safety Week. The International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) is also committed to enhancing road safety.
Indian Government’s Steps to Improve Road Safety
India has implemented the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, 2019, which increases penalties for traffic violations, defective vehicles, juvenile driving, among others. It also offers a Motor Vehicle Accident Fund providing compulsory insurance coverage to all Indian road users for specific accidents.
Policy Measures to Improve Road Safety
To improve road safety, while aiding victims and their families in recovery, policy-oriented solutions such as immediate financial, medical, and legal aid are essential. Areas demanding urgent improvement encompass post-crash emergency care and protocols, as well as insurance and compensation systems. Policymakers, development agencies, and state governments need to prioritize a comprehensive policy overhaul of the existing system to implement sustainable, inclusive measures to enhance road safety.
Last Modified: February 10, 2024