{"id":52678,"date":"2025-08-30T19:14:02","date_gmt":"2025-08-30T13:44:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=52678"},"modified":"2025-09-04T13:15:21","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T07:45:21","slug":"road-accidents-in-india-2023-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/30-08-2025\/road-accidents-in-india-2023-report","title":{"rendered":"Road Accidents in India 2023 Report"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Infrastructure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recently, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) released its <strong>&#8216;Road Accidents in India 2023<\/strong>&#8216; report following a Supreme Court&#8217;s direction after several delays.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Findings of Report<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Surge in Road Crashes &amp; Death: <\/strong>Road accidents in India grew <strong>4.2% year-on-year<\/strong> in 2023, reaching <strong>480,583 cases<\/strong>. These accidents claimed <strong>172,890 lives<\/strong> \u2013 the highest ever recorded.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The number of deaths rose <strong>2.6% compared to 2022<\/strong>, while <strong>462,825 people were injured<\/strong> \u2013 a 4.4% increase.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Surge in Fatal Accidents: <\/strong>Fatal road accidents increased from <strong>1,55,781 in 2022<\/strong> to <strong>1,60,509 in 2023<\/strong>, marking a <strong>3.04% growth<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>These accounted for <strong>33.4% of all accidents<\/strong>, with a fatal accident defined as one causing two or more deaths.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Who\u2019s Most at Risk?<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Young Adults (18\u201345 years): <\/strong>Accounted for 66.4% of fatalities;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Working Age Group (18\u201360 years):<\/strong> Made up 83.4% of total deaths;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Two-Wheeler Users:<\/strong> Represented 44.8% of all fatalities;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pedestrians:<\/strong> Nearly 20% of deaths;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Children:<\/strong> Over 9,489 lives lost in 2023 alone;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e1d7d3\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Road-Accidents-in-India-2023-Report.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-52684\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e1d7d3; width:454px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Road-Accidents-in-India-2023-Report.png 640w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Road-Accidents-in-India-2023-Report-300x210.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Causes of Road Accidents<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Overspeeding (68%):<\/strong> The leading cause of fatalities. Driving beyond speed limits reduces reaction time and increases impact severity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Driving on the Wrong Side (5.5%): <\/strong>Includes wrong-way driving on one-ways or overtaking from the left. Often leads to head-on collisions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Distracted Driving: <\/strong>Use of mobile phones, eating, or adjusting controls while driving contributes significantly to crashes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Drunk Driving:<\/strong> Alcohol impairs judgment, reflexes, and coordination, making it a persistent risk factor.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Poor Road Conditions:<\/strong> Potholes, unmarked speed breakers, and lack of signage increase accident likelihood, especially in rural areas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vehicle Defects:<\/strong> Brake failure, tire bursts, and other mechanical issues can trigger loss of control.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Weather and Visibility: <\/strong>Fog, rain, and low light conditions reduce visibility and traction, leading to more accidents.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Neglecting Safety Gear:<\/strong> Not wearing helmets or seatbelts drastically increases the risk of fatal injuries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Efforts For Road Safety in India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Road Safety as a Fundamental Right<\/strong>: The right to safe road travel is an essential component of the<strong> right to life under Article 21<\/strong> of the Indian Constitution.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP):<\/strong> It provides safety ratings for passenger cars, empowering consumers to make informed decisions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vehicle Scrapping Policy:<\/strong> The government has implemented a vehicle scrapping policy, with 44 <strong>Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities <\/strong>operational across 15 states, to remove unsafe vehicles from roads.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Electronic Enforcement Mechanisms:<\/strong> Speed cameras, CCTV surveillance, and automated traffic enforcement systems have been deployed to improve compliance with road safety regulations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Emergency Care Initiatives:<\/strong> The <strong>Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019<\/strong> introduced a cashless treatment scheme for accident victims during the golden hour, ensuring timely medical intervention.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Targeted Interventions of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH):<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rectification of over 5,000 black spots on highways;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mandatory road safety audits to assess risk areas;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stricter vehicle safety norms, including airbags and anti-lock braking systems;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Electronic enforcement mechanisms such as speed cameras and CCTV surveillance to improve compliance;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>District-wide driving training and vehicle fitness centers to reduce accidents caused by unskilled driving;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Global Efforts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Brasilia Declaration (2015): <\/strong>It defined the urgent measures needed to achieve the <strong>2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development<\/strong>\u2019s ambitious target <strong><em>(Target 3.6)<\/em><\/strong><strong> <\/strong>to halve road traffic deaths by the end of this decade.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021\u20132030): <\/strong>It aims <strong>to halve deaths<\/strong> related to road accidents <strong>by 2030.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It aligns with the <strong>Stockholm Declaration (2020)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>World Bank Report (2020):<\/strong> It estimates that an additional $109 billion are required over the next decade to achieve a 50% reduction in road crash fatalities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Committees &amp; Policy Frameworks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sundar Committee on Road Safety and Traffic Management (2005):<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It recommended the creation of a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/editorial-analysis\/15-05-2025\/road-to-safety-navigating-india-mobility-transformation\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/editorial-analysis\/15-05-2025\/road-to-safety-navigating-india-mobility-transformation\">National Road Safety Policy<\/a><\/strong>, approved by the Union Cabinet in 2010.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It also proposed the establishment of a <strong>National Road Safety Board<\/strong> to oversee safety regulations and enforcement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Road Safety Council (NRSC):<\/strong> As an <strong>advisory body under MoRTH<\/strong>, to provide recommendations on policy measures, enforcement strategies, and infrastructure improvements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Working Group on Road Safety Education:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It focuses on driver training, public awareness campaigns, and school-level road safety education.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It advocates for stronger enforcement of traffic laws and integration of road safety into school curricula.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Supreme Court\u2019s Committee on Road Safety:<\/strong><strong>District Road Safety Committees<\/strong> for each district in the State, in accordance with The <strong>Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It focuses on <strong>4Es <\/strong>viz <strong>Engineering, Education, Enforcement &amp; Emergency.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/india-news\/road-accidents-up-4-2-in-2023-172k-lives-lost-despite-safety-push-125082901336_1.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Source: BS<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Recently, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) released its &#8216;Road Accidents in India 2023&#8217; report following a Supreme Court&#8217;s direction after several delays.<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Key Causes of Road Accidents<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Overspeeding (68%): The leading cause of fatalities. Driving beyond speed limits reduces reaction time and increases impact severity.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Driving on the Wrong Side (5.5%): Includes wrong-way driving on one-ways or overtaking from the left. Often leads to head-on collisions.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Distracted Driving: Use of mobile phones, eating, or adjusting controls while driving contributes significantly to crashes.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Drunk Driving: Alcohol impairs judgment, reflexes, and coordination, making it a persistent risk factor.<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/30-08-2025\/road-accidents-in-india-2023-report\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read\u00a0More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-52678","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52678","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52678"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52678\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":52965,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52678\/revisions\/52965"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52678"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52678"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52678"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}