Supreme Court Sought Trauma Care System to Curb Road Deaths

Syllabus: GS2/Polity and Governance

Context

• Recently, the Supreme Court directed states and Union Territories to put in place a unified emergency trauma care architecture to reduce deaths from road crashes and other accidents.

Highlights of SC Directions

• Integration of Emergency Helpline: All States and Union Territories were directed to complete full technical and operational integration of emergency and ambulance helplines such as 100, 101, 108, 102, 1033 and 1091 into the unified helpline number 112 within three months.
• Grievance Redressal Systems: States and UTs were asked to establish both physical and digital Good Samaritan grievance redressal systems within three months.
• The SC also directed for GPS-equipped ambulances, a trauma registry, and a standard rescue protocol.
• Medical Rescue Protocol: The Ministries of Health and Family Welfare and Road Transport and Highways were permitted three months to formulate a medical rescue protocol for trauma cases, which States and UTs would then have to operationalise within another three months.

Road Accidents in India

• According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 1.99 lakh people died in traffic accidents in 2024, an increase of 0.79% compared to 2023.
• Road Accidents: Out of 1.99 lakh traffic-related deaths recorded in 2024, 1.75 lakh (88%) were due to road accidents.
• The socio-economic costs of road crashes alone amount to around 3.14% of India’s GDP.
• Two-wheelers account for most of the fatal road accidents, followed by pedestrians and cars.
• Speeding is the biggest factor, accounting for 58% of the total road deaths.
• The top three states in terms of fatalities are Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

Reasons for Increased Numbers of Road Accidents in India

• Overspeeding and Reckless Driving: Overspeeding, dangerous overtaking, drunk driving, and mobile phone usage while driving are among major causes.
• Poor Road Infrastructure: Badly maintained roads, potholes, inadequate signage, poor lighting, and unsafe road design increase accident risks.
• Weak Enforcement of Traffic Rules: Inadequate monitoring and inconsistent enforcement of traffic laws lead to low compliance with safety regulations.
• Lack of Proper Driver Training: Weak licensing systems and insufficient driver education result in unskilled and irresponsible driving behaviour.
• Rapid Growth of Vehicles and Traffic Congestion: Increasing vehicle ownership without proportional expansion of road infrastructure creates chaotic and unsafe traffic conditions.
• Weak Emergency and Trauma Care: Delays in medical assistance and inadequate trauma care facilities, especially in rural areas, increase fatalities after accidents.

Government Initiatives

• National Road Safety Policy India, 2010: It emphasized the need for better road infrastructure, stricter enforcement of traffic rules, enhanced emergency medical services, public awareness campaigns, and improved post-crash care.
• Electronic Detailed Accident Report (e-DAR)/ Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD): Centralized system for reporting, managing, and analyzing road accident data to improve safety.
• Speedy Assistance to Accident Victims:
  • Award ₹25,000 for Good Samaritans who help accident victims.
  • Faster compensation: ₹2.5 lakh for grievous hurt, ₹5 lakh for death.
  • Enhanced compensation for hit-and-run victims: ₹2 lakh for death, ₹50,000 for grievous hurt.
  • Simplified procedures for third-party insurance, including hired drivers.
• Vehicle Fitness: Old, unfit vehicles contribute to accidents. The Ministry is setting up model Inspection and Certification Centers across States/UTs (28 States/UTs covered by 2024).
• IIT Madras Collaboration: Establishing a Center of Excellence for Road Safety to develop new products, conduct research, and promote safety initiatives.
• Accident Blackspot Rectification: Priority on identifying and improving accident-prone spots on National Highways through engineering measures.
• Road Safety Audits: Mandatory audits for all highway projects at design, construction, and operation stages.
• Brasilia Declaration: India was one amongst the initial 100+ countries to have signed the Brasilia Declaration in 2015 committing to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 3.6 i.e.to half the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic crashes by 2030. 
• Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, 2019: The act brought about higher penalties for traffic violations, including speeding, drunk driving, and not wearing helmets or seat belts. 

Conclusion

• A comprehensive trauma care system requires a rights-based legal framework, institutional coordination, standardized protocols, and strict implementation of the Supreme Court’s directions. 
• These measures can ensure timely emergency care, reduce preventable deaths, and build a resilient trauma response system across the country.

Source: IE