Recently, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to constitute the National Road Safety Board under Section 215B of the Motor Vehicles Act.

Supreme Court Directive

• Timeline Mandate:  Court gave the Government six months to constitute the Board, refusing the Centre’s request for nine months.

• Pending Implementation: The Court noted that the Board exists only on paper without appointment of Chairperson and Members.
• Legal Provision: Section 215B  of  Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, mandates a National Road Safety Board to advise governments on traffic and safety standards.

Challenges to Road Safety in India

• High Fatality Rate: India records over 1.5 lakh deaths annually due to road accidents which is  highest in the world.
• Poor Emergency Response: Lack of swift trauma care, emergency transport, and inter-agency coordination results in preventable fatalities.Neglected Infrastructure & Education: Inadequate driver training, poor road design, and weak enforcement increase vulnerability on roads.
• Implementation Gap: Despite several legal provisions, on-ground implementation of road safety measures remains inconsistent and weak.
• Lack of Coordination: There is limited collaboration between key stakeholders such as traffic police, hospitals, road agencies, and local governments.
• Skewed Priorities: Focus on road expansion often overlooks safety measures like crash barriers, signages, and pedestrian facilities.
• Inadequate Capacity: Shortage of trained personnel, including traffic enforcers and trauma care providers, along with low public awareness.

India: Road Safety Initiatives

• National Road Safety Policy (2010): Provides a framework for improving road safety through awareness, enforcement, and technology.
• Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019: Introduces stricter penalties, vehicle fitness norms, and provisions for protection of Good Samaritans.
• Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD):  A centralised database for collecting and analysing road crash data for informed policy-making.
• Sachet Bharat Programme: Focuses on driver education and behavioural change to reduce road accidents.
• Sundar Committee Recommendations: Advocated for national and state-level boards, trauma care systems, and earmarked funds for road safety.
• Good Samaritan Guidelines: Legally protect bystanders who help accident victims from legal or procedural harassment.
• Highway Patrol & Emergency Services: Establishes highway patrol units and ambulance networks under NHAI and state governments.

Global: Road Safety Initiatives

• UN Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030): Aims to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by 50% through coordinated global efforts.
• Stockholm Declaration (2020): Recognizes road safety as essential to sustainable development and calls for Safe System approaches.
• Brasilia Declaration on Road Safety (2015): Encourages adoption of safer road infrastructure, vehicle standards, and enforcement mechanisms.
• WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety: Provides comprehensive global data and policy guidance on reducing road traffic injuries.
• Vision Zero (Sweden): A long-term strategy aiming for zero road fatalities through systemic infrastructure and behavioral reform.

Way Forward

• Immediate Constitution: Enforce SC order and operationalize the Board with competent experts.
• Institutional Strengthening: Provide the Board statutory backing, funding, and functional independence.
• Integrated Road Safety Policy: Synchronize central, state, and local efforts via digital and on-ground platforms.
• Awareness and use of Technology: Intensify public awareness and integrate AI, sensors, and ITS for real-time road management.

DOWNLOAD PDF