NCRB 2023 Report Highlights Alarming Trends of Road Accidents in India

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

Context

• According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India recorded 4,64,029 road accidents in 2023, leading to 1,73,826 deaths and 4.47 lakh injuries.

Key Findings

• Nearly 46% of the victims were two-wheeler riders, reflecting the vulnerability of motorcyclists in India’s traffic ecosystem.
• State-Wise Trends:
  • Tamil Nadu (11,490 deaths) and Uttar Pradesh (8,370 deaths) reported the highest two-wheeler accident deaths.
  • Uttar Pradesh recorded the maximum fatalities on National Highways (7,041 deaths) and also topped deaths from SUVs and trucks. Other high-burden states included Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh.

Major Causes of Road Accidents

• Over-speeding was the leading cause, responsible for 58.6% of deaths.
• Dangerous/careless driving and overtaking accounted for 23.6%.
• Other causes include poor weather, driving under influence of alcohol/drugs, and animal crossings, contributing to 2.8% of deaths.
• Poor Road Conditions such as Potholes, unmarked speed breakers, and lack of signage increase accident likelihood, especially in rural areas.
• Vehicle Defects like brake failure, tire bursts, and other mechanical issues can trigger loss of control.

Key measures taken for road safety

• Global measures:
  • Road safety, a public health and development priority, is crucial to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 
  • In September 2020, the UN General Assembly launched the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 which aims to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 50% by 2030.  
• Steps taken by India:
  • Implementation of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019. The Act hike in penalties for traffic violations, electronic monitoring of the same, enhanced penalties for juvenile driving.
  • Computerization/automation of vehicle fitness tests, recall of defective vehicles, streamlining the third party insurance and payment of increased compensation for hit and run cases etc. 
  • Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP): It provides safety ratings for passenger cars, empowering consumers to make informed decisions.

Key Committees & Policy Frameworks

• The Supreme Court’s Committee on Road Safety (SCCoRS) mandates the constitution of District Road Safety Committees in every district to improve road safety, as per The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. 
• Sundar Committee on Road Safety and Traffic Management (2005);
  • It recommended the creation of a National Road Safety Policy, approved by the Union Cabinet in 2010.
  • It also proposed the establishment of a National Road Safety Board to oversee safety regulations and enforcement.

Focus areas for better safety

• Helmet use: It must be enforced among motorcyclists as well as their pillion passengers. Correct helmet use can lead to a 42% reduction in the risk of fatal injuries.
• Speeding must be reduced and also there should be no tolerance for drink-driving.
• Road infrastructure should be enhanced: Many roads are not in a safe condition, although government programmes in recent years have led to rapid improvements.
• Behavioral changes: Large-scale public awareness campaigns such as the new UN global campaign for road safety #MakeASafetyStatement, involving international celebrities, must be undertaken to secure behavioral changes.

Source: TH