Envisioning safer road infrastructure
For years, India has been trying to combat road accidents. With the world’s second-largest population and a booming vehicle market, the country faces a constant battle against devastating accidents. In 2022 alone, over 460,000 accidents were reported, resulting in a horrifying loss of over 168,000 lives and injuring nearly 400,000 people. In a recent Rajya Sabha address, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari expressed grave concerns regarding the escalating frequency of road accidents in India. These incidents occur at a staggering rate of 53 per hour and lead to 19 deaths per hour. Gadkari attributed this rise to inadequate engineering practices and the unsatisfactory quality of detailed project reports (DPRs). Additionally, he underscored the significance of another pivotal factor: the lack of fear regarding legal repercussions.
In a bid to fight this frightening crisis, the country has set a target to halve the number of road accidents by 2030. This aggressive goal comes in response a surge in both road accidents and fatalities by 12% and 10%, respectively. A complex interplay of factors are responsible for this, including inadequate infrastructure, law enforcement of traffic laws, and lack of public awareness about safe driving practices. India’s multi-pronged approach focuses on stricter enforcement, improved infrastructure, promoting advanced vehicle safety features, strengthening emergency response systems and public awareness campaigns, aiming to create safer road environments and protect the lives of all road users. Authorities also aim to publish real time traffic monitoring data within 15 days and implement safety measures accordingly.
Technology and education are powerful weapons in this fight. However, a cultural shift is equally vital. Minister Gadkari’s emphasis on the “4Es” – Education, Enforcement, Engineering, and Environment (including Emergency Care) – underscores this point. We need a holistic approach that not only educates drivers and enforces laws but also prioritizes safer road infrastructure and improved emergency response systems. Educating road users, including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, will provide them with essential knowledge for safe navigation. This involves campaigns to grasp traffic rules, road signs, and appropriate behaviors, targeting demographics prone to accidents like young drivers or elderly pedestrians. School programs should also be introduced to instill safe driving values early, highlighting risks like speeding, drunk driving etc.
Technology is not just a tool, it is a game-changer, offering a path to fundamentally transform road safety in India. India has traditionally not been seen as a priority market for Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) given its infamously dangerous roads and haphazard traffic patterns, but the installation of these systems has recently seen a rise. This system can prove to be a boon to India as most of the accidents in the country are caused due to driver errors.
The integration of smart infrastructure, like intelligent traffic management systems which is still not installed in all parts of the country and real-time data analytics, can help authorities to proactively manage traffic flow and identify potential hazards swiftly. Emerging technologies, such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication and autonomous driving systems, hold immense promise in minimizing human errors and enhancing collision avoidance capabilities. Furthermore, the transformative impact of technology in other sectors underscores its potential in revolutionizing road safety. Innovations in communication technologies can help in enabling prompt emergency assistance, facilitating rapid intervention in accident scenarios.
This battle for safe roads requires more than just government action. Disjointed efforts by various government agencies and a lack of resources often create roadblocks to effective road safety initiatives. A collaborative approach is vital, bringing together government, infrastructure agencies, consultancies, law enforcement and civil society organizations. A unified front can create a comprehensive strategy that tackles road safety from multiple angles, including better public education, stricter enforcement of traffic laws, and crucial infrastructure upgrades.
One such collaboration is of RITES and NHAI, under which the former will act as Safety Consultant to conduct Road Safety Audits, the crucial aspect for identifying and minimizing potential risks on roads, for various projects, ensuring stronger and safer roads. RITES’ efforts present as a strong example of these endeavors. The Navaratna company has recently also collaborated with UPEIDA to conduct Road Safety Audits for the 312-km stretch of the Greenfield Ganga Expressway along Hardoi, Unnao, and Prayagraj districts. This collaboration would prove to be extremely profitable with the audits acting as a preventive checkup of roads to identify issues and prevent tragedies.
Road accidents’ impact goes far beyond the immediate tragedy. They result in an economic loss equivalent to 3.18% of the GDP. Hospitals struggle to treat the injured, straining healthcare systems. The workforce also suffers from lost productivity due to fatalities and disabilities. These accidents also incur immense financial burdens from medical costs, vehicle repairs, and infrastructure damage. Investing in road safety is not just about saving lives; it is about protecting families, strengthening healthcare, boosting the economy, and building a safer, more prosperous future for all.
Prof. Dr. G.P. Pandey Assam University, Silchar
