Lok Sabha Question No. 3122 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-07
Subject: Road Accidents due to Pedestrians
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Mrs Ruchi Vira

## be pleased to state:

- (a)      whether  it  is  true  that  as  per  a  previous  report  of  the  ministry, approximately twenty percent of road accidents are caused by pedestrians, if so, the details thereof; and
- (b)    whether the Government has planned to improve road conditions and  create  dedicated  pedestrian  pathways,  if  so,  the  details  thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)      The Government  publishes  report  on  'Road  Accidents  in  India' based on data received from States/ UTs. As per data received from the States/UTs,  road  accidents  are  multi-causal  phenomenon  and  are  the result of interplay of various factors. These can broadly be categorized into  (i)  human  error,  (ii)  road  condition/environment  and  (iii)  vehicular condition.  As per report, the accidents involving pedestrian constitutes about 17% of total number of accidents during calendar year 2022.
- (b)     Sub-section  (1)  of  Section  198A  of  the  Motor  Vehicles  Act,  1988 provides for any designated authority, contractor, consultant or concessionaire responsible for the design or construction or maintenance of the safety standards of the road to follow such design, construction and maintenance standards, as may be prescribed by the Central Government from time to time.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3122 ANSWERED ON 7 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## ROAD ACCIDENTS DUE TO PEDESTRIANS

## 3122.         MRS RUCHI VIRA:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

Further, Rule 166(1) of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989 provides  that  the  design,  construction  and  maintenance  of  National Highways shall be in6accordance with the standards and specifications of  the  Indian  Road  Congress  as  may  be  applicable,  or  any  other instructions or guidelines issued by the Central Government from time to time.

Rule 166(2) of CMVR, 1989 provides that the design, construction and maintenance of roads including pedestrian pathways other than National  Highways  shall  be  in  accordance  with  the  standards  and specifications of the Indian Road Congress as may be applicable, or any other instructions or guidelines issued by the State Government from time to time.

The  Government  is  responsible  for  development  and  maintenance  of National Highways. Respective State Governments are responsible for development and maintenance of roads under their jurisdiction. Indian Roads Congress (IRC) formulates various standards related to design, construction and maintenance of various categories of roads including National Highways (NHs), State Highways (SHs), Major District Roads (MDRs),  Other  District  Roads  (ODRs),  village  Roads,  etc.  and  publish same  through  codes,  manuals,  guidelines  etc.  including  provisions related to road safety. Works on National Highways are carried out in accordance with M/o RT&H Specifications for Road and Bridge Works and applicable IRC codes, manuals etc. The respective State Governments  decide  on  their  own  as  to  standards  &  specifications applicable for roads/ highways under their jurisdiction.

There are various provisions for pedestrian safety on National Highways such as :-

-  Provisions  of  pedestrian  facilities  have  been  specified  in  the IRC:103-2012  "Guidelines  for  Pedestrian  Facilities".  A  Circular dated  17th  June,  2015  has  also  been  issued  wherein  guidelines for  Pedestrian  Facilities  on  National  Highways  for  persons  with disabilities have been stipulated.
-  Foot  Over  Bridges  (FOBs)  are  provided  at  various  specified locations with ramps or lifts to facilitate the crossing on National Highways by pedestrians.
-  Detailed guidelines are contained in IRC:99-2018 for traffic calming  measures,  in  which  various  traffic  measures  such  as rumble strip, Speed Bumps, Speed Table/Raised Pedestrian

Crossing  etc.  are  provided  on  National  Highways  and  adjoining roads. The  Motor  Vehicles  Act,  1988  through  an  amendment  notified  in 2019   has  strengthened  the  law  to  improve  the  Road  Safety  scenario and  reduce  loss  of  lives.  While  Central  Government  formulates  rules under  the  Motor  Vehicle  Act,  1988,  the  enforcement  of  these  rules comes under the purview of State Governments/UT Administrations.

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