Context:

• The Annual Report on ‘Road Accidents in India-2022” has been published by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Road Accidents in India 2022 Report

• The annual report on Road Accidents in India 2022 is based on data sent by police departments of states/UTs in formats as provided by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific( It is one of the five regional commissions under the jurisdiction of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. ) under the Asia Pacific Road Accident Database project.

Road Accidents in India 2022 Report – Key Findings 

• Trends: The states and Union Territories (UTs) reported 461,312 incidents in 2022, which caused injuries to 443,366 people. 
  • The year marked an increase of 11.9 per cent in accidents, 9.4 per cent in fatalities, and 15.3 per cent in injuries compared to 2021.
  • In 2022, 106,682 accidents, which constitute 23 per cent of the total, took place on state highways and the remaining 202,633 (43.9 per cent) on other roads. 
  • In fatalities, national highways accounted for 36.2 per cent of the total, while state highways and other roads accounted for 24.3 per cent and 39.4 per cent.
• Demographic Trends: Adults in the age group of 18 to 45 years made up 66.5 percent of the victims in 2022 while those aged 18 to 60 years (working population) comprised 83.4 percent of the overall fatalities. 

• Reasons: The Road Accidents in India 2022 report also found that a large number of accidents remain attributable to human errors. 
  • In 2022, over speeding was a major cause, accounting for 71.2 percent of the persons killed. It was followed by driving on the wrong side (5.4 per cent).
• 33 percent of all road accidents and 35 percent of fatal accidents took place on national highways and expressways. 
  • This is despite record investments in improving highway infrastructure. 
• While deaths with respect to the num­ber of vehicle re­gistrations have reduced over the past decades, 2022 also saw the hi­g­hest number of deaths vis-à-vis Ind­ian pop­ul­at­i­on, with 12.2 casualties per one lakh people.
• Road Accidents in India 2022 Recommendation: 
  • The Road Accidents in India 2022 report underscores the urgency of adopting a comprehensive approach to address the contributing factors to these accidents, including speeding, reckless driving, drunken driving, and non-compliance with traffic regulations. 

Road Accidents in India 2022 Report Significance

• The Road Accidents in India 2022 publication serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders in the realm of road safety. 
• It offers in-depth insights into various aspects of road accidents, including their causes, locations, and their impact on different categories of road users. The report also sheds light on emerging trends, challenges, and the Ministry’s road safety initiatives.

News Source: Business Standard

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