Lok Sabha Question No. 4859 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-25
Subject: Prevention of Road Accidents
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Kapil Moreshwar Patil, Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak, Raksha Nikhil Khadse

## be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there has been rise in the number of road accidents on the National Highways (NHs) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to construct service lanes, underpasses, bicycle lanes and pedestrian paths to avoid the increasing level of accidents on NHs;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the details of programme/ provision of infrastructure made for the main accident-prone NHs in the country?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) As per the data received from police department of all States/UTs the total number of  road accidents on National Highways including Expressways  in the country during last three calendar years

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4859 ANSWERED ON 25 TH  MARCH, 2021

## PREVENTION OF ROAD ACCIDENTS

†4859. SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL: SHRI MANOJ KOTAK: SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

- i.e.  2017  to  2019  are  shown  in  the  table  below  (Figure  in  bracket represents the percentage change.
- (b) &  (c)    National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) constructs Foot over Bridges (FoBs), Pedestrian underpasses (PUPs) and Pedestrian Subways (PSW) to ensure reduction in accidents involving pedestrians. 153 FoBs have been completed. Pedestrian Markings are marked  at  median  openings  and  junctions.  Footpaths/Walkways  are constructed in Urban/habited areas.
- (d)      The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has notified 'Member of Parliaments' Road Safety Committee' in each district of the country to promote  awareness  amongst  road  users  under  the  chairmanship  of Hon'ble Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from the district.

|   Year | Total Number of Road accidents on all roads   | Total Number of Road accidents on National Highways   |   percentage share of Road Accident on National Highway to total accidents |
|--------|-----------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   2017 | 4,64,910 (-3.3)                               | 1,41,466 (-0.6)                                       |                                                                       30.4 |
|   2018 | 4,67,044 (0.5)                                | 1,40,843 (-0.4)                                       |                                                                       30.2 |
|   2019 | 4,49,002 (-3.8)                               | 1,37,191 (-2.6)                                       |                                                                       30.5 |

The  Ministry  has  also  formulated  a  multi-pronged  strategy  to address the issue of road safety based on Education, Engineering (both of  roads and vehicles), Enforcement and Emergency Care. Accordingly, various initiatives have been taken by the Ministry as detailed below:-

- (i) Education:
-  The  Ministry  implements  a  scheme  for  undertaking  publicity measures  and  awareness  campaigns  on  road  safety  to  create awareness among road users through the electronic media, print media, NGOs etc.
-  Observance  of National Road  Safety  Week  every year for spreading awareness and strengthening road safety.
-  A Certification  Course for Road  Safety Auditors has  been commenced in Indian Academy of Highway Engineers (IAHE).
- (ii) Engineering (both of Roads and vehicles)
-  Road engineering
-  High  priority  to  identification  and  rectification  of  black spots (accident prone spots) on national highways.
-  Road safety has been made an integral part of road design at planning stage.
-  The threshold for four laning of National Highways have been reduced from 15,000 Passenger Car Units (PCUs) to 10,000 PCUs.
-  Ministry has delegated powers  to Regional Officers of MORTH for technical approval to the detailed estimates for rectification of identified Road Accident black spots.
-  Guidelines for pedestrian facilities on National Highways for persons with disabilities have also been issued to all States / UTs.

##  Vehicle engineering:

-  Safety standards for automobiles have been improved.
-  Ministry  has  notified  fitment  of  Speed  Limiting  devices  on all transport vehicles
-  Scheme for setting up one model Inspection & Certification Centre in each State/UT with Central assistance for testing the fitness of vehicles through an automated system

## (iii) Enforcement

-  The recently passed The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 provides  for  strict  enforcement  through  use  of  technology  and further provides for strict penalties for ensuring strict compliance  and  enhancing  deterrence  for  violation  of  traffic rules.
-  Rules  for  protection  of  Good  Samaritans  as  per  the  Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 have been published.

## (iv) Emergency care:

-  The  Motor  Vehicles  (Amendment)  Act,  2019  provides  for  a scheme  for  the  cashless  treatment  of  victims  of  the  accident during the golden hour.
-  The National Highways Authority of India has also deployed 550 ambulances at toll plazas on the completed corridor of National Highways.
-  Out of 550 ambulances, 171 ambulances have been upgraded to Basic Life Support as per AIS-125.

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