Lok Sabha Question No. 589 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-04
Subject: Steps to Reduce High Rate of Road Crashes
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: M. Selvaraj

## be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that India has one of the highest rates of road crashes in the world and if so, the reaction of the  Government thereto;
- (b) whether  about  1,50,000  people  lose  their  lives  every  year  on India's roads and if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether India needs to invest $109 billion to halve its cases of road crashes in the next decade and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  high  death  rate  on  India's  roads  is  caused  by  lack  of investment  in  systemic,  targeted  and  sustained  road  safety programmes and requires relevant investment priorities to reverse the trend; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and steps being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) to  (e)    Road accidents continue to be a major developmental issue, a public health concern and a leading cause of death and injury across the  World    killing  around  1.35  million  globally.  As  per  available information,  the  total  number  of  road  accidents  and  the  number  of

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 589 ANSWERED ON 4 TH   FEBRUARY, 2021

## STEPS TO REDUCE HIGH RATE OF ROAD CRASHES

## 589. SHRI M. SELVARAJ:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

persons killed in such accidents in the country during the calendar year 2018 are as under:-

| Years   | Total Road   | %change   | Total persons   | % change   |
|---------|--------------|-----------|-----------------|------------|
|         | Accidents.   |           | killed          | over       |
| 2018    | 4,67,044     | 0.46      | 1,51,417        | 2.37       |
| 2019    | 4,49,002     | -3.86     | 1,51,113        | - 0.20     |

The  Motor  Vehicle  (Amendment)  Act,  2019  which  was  recently passed by Parliament focuses on road safety and includes, inter-alia, revision in penalties for traffic violations, electronic monitoring of the same, enhanced penalties for juvenile driving, computerization/automation of vehicle fitness and driving, tests, recall of  defective  vehicles,  streamlining  the  third  party  insurance  and payment  of  increased  compensation  for  hit  and  run  cases  etc.  The Amendment  has  strengthened  the  Law  to  improve  the  road  Safety scenario and reduce loss of lives.

The Ministry issues regulations to improve vehicle safety standards,  undertakes  site  specific  interventions  to  address  black spots, and also mobilises various activities to promote road safety such as road safety advocacy and awareness programmes.

Besides this the Ministry has 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 highway has 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  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.
-  Issue of Guidelines for protection of Good Samaritans and draft rules as per MV(amendment) Act, 2019 has 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 perAIS-125.

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