GS II: Polity & Governance
Context: India continues to record the highest number of road accident deaths globally. The persistence of preventable fatalities highlights the need for stronger institutional coordination, constitutional reforms, and accountable road safety governance.
Road Safety Scenario in India
- The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) reported around 1.77 lakh road accident deaths in 2024.
- The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported varying figures (1.75 lakh and 1.81 lakh) through different reporting systems.
- The variation reflects multiple data collection mechanisms and the absence of a unified road accident database.
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Road Accidents- A Governance Challenge
- Preventable Deaths: Most road accidents result from human error, poor infrastructure or weak enforcement, rather than unavoidable events.
- Article 21: Preventable road deaths undermine the Right to Life guaranteed under the Constitution.
- Supreme Court’s Observation: In S. Rajaseekaran v. Union of India (2014), the Court held that road accidents are preventable, not matters of fate.
The Four Es of Road Safety
- Engineering: Poor road design, inadequate maintenance and unsafe infrastructure increase accident risks.
- Enforcement: Weak implementation of traffic laws, overloading norms and speed regulations.
- Education: Limited public awareness regarding road safety and responsible driving behaviour.
- Emergency Care: Inadequate ambulances, trauma care facilities and delays in emergency response reduce survival rates.
Institutional and Constitutional Challenges
- Fragmented Responsibilities: Road safety is divided across the Union List, State List and Concurrent List.
- Multiple Stakeholders: Roads, police, public health, and motor vehicles fall under different authorities, leading to poor coordination.
- Lack of Accountability: No single institution is responsible for preventing road accidents or ensuring integrated implementation.
Need for Institutional Reforms
- Road Safety Coordination Council: Establish a permanent Centre-State coordination body, similar to the GST Council, for road safety.
- Unified Standards: Develop common standards for:
- Road engineering
- Vehicle fitness
- Traffic enforcement
- Emergency medical care
- Road accident data reporting
- District Road Safety Committees: Give statutory powers and accountability to district-level committees for implementation and monitoring.
Challenges
- Weak Intergovernmental Coordination due to constitutional division of powers.
- Poor Quality Data affecting evidence-based policymaking.
- Inadequate Infrastructure, including roads and trauma care facilities.
- Weak Enforcement of traffic rules despite existing legal provisions.
- Limited Institutional Accountability for reducing fatalities.
Way Forward
- Strengthen Constitutional Coordination: Consider institutional reforms to improve Centre-State cooperation in road safety.
- Create a National Road Safety Coordination Council for integrated policymaking and implementation.
- Develop a Unified Road Accident Database to ensure accurate reporting and policy planning.
- Improve the Four Es: Invest in safer engineering, stricter enforcement, greater education, and stronger emergency care.
- Enhance Accountability: Empower District Road Safety Committees with clear responsibilities and measurable outcomes.
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Conclusion
Road accident deaths are largely preventable and should be treated as a governance and public health challenge, not as unavoidable tragedies. A coordinated institutional framework, stronger accountability, and effective implementation of road safety measures are essential to protect lives and uphold the constitutional guarantee of the Right to Life under Article 21.
14 Jul 2026
