Core Demand of the Question
- Road accidents as a systemic public health and governance failure
- Structural causes behind India’s road safety crisis
- Measures required
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Answer
Introduction
India faces one of the world’s highest road accident burdens, with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways reporting 1.77 lakh road accident deaths in 2024. The existence of multiple official estimates (1.75 lakh to 1.81 lakh deaths) reflects data inconsistencies, but the larger issue is clear: road deaths are largely preventable outcomes of failures in infrastructure, enforcement, and governance rather than mere individual mistakes.
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Road Accidents as a Public Health and Governance Failure
- Unsafe road infrastructure : Poor engineering, inadequate maintenance, and unsafe road design contribute significantly to crashes.
Eg: The Supreme Court in S. Rajaseekaran v. Union of India (2014) highlighted deficiencies in highway design and maintenance funding.
- Weak enforcement of traffic regulations : Laws exist but inconsistent implementation reduces deterrence.
Eg: Issues such as speeding, drunk driving, and helmet violations continue despite provisions under the Motor Vehicles Act.
- Inadequate emergency response systems : Delayed medical assistance converts survivable injuries into fatalities.
Eg: The Supreme Court noted shortages of ambulances, trauma centres, and coordination failures between police jurisdictions.
- Fragmented institutional responsibility : Multiple ministries and levels of government share responsibility without clear accountability.
Eg: Highways are under the Centre, policing under states, and public health largely under states, creating coordination gaps.
Measures Required for Ensuring Road Safety
- Strengthen engineering-based safety approach : Adopt safer road design, black spot correction, and scientific audits.
Eg: National Highway Authority initiatives on identifying and improving accident-prone stretches.
- Improve enforcement mechanisms : Use technology-driven monitoring and stricter compliance systems.
Eg: Automated speed cameras and e-challan systems can reduce dependence on manual enforcement.
- Build robust trauma care infrastructure : Develop integrated emergency response networks near highways.
Eg: Expansion of trauma centres under national health infrastructure planning can reduce preventable deaths.
- Promote behavioural change and road education : Create sustained awareness about safe driving practices.
Eg: School-level road safety education can build long-term behavioural change.
Institutional Reforms for Long-Term Road Safety
- Create a coordinated national road safety framework : Establish a permanent Centre-State mechanism for planning and accountability.
Eg: A Road Safety Coordination Council on the model of the GST Council can harmonise standards across states.
- Strengthen district-level accountability : Empower local bodies to monitor accident patterns and implement solutions.
Eg: Statutory District Road Safety Committees can ensure local ownership.
- Improve accident data systems : Create a unified database for evidence-based policymaking.
Eg: Integrating police, health, and transport databases can resolve discrepancies in accident reporting.
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Conclusion
Road accidents represent a failure of governance systems rather than unavoidable tragedies. A comprehensive road safety strategy based on the 4Es—Engineering, Enforcement, Education, and Emergency Care—combined with stronger Centre-State coordination is essential to uphold the constitutional guarantee of the right to life under Article 21.
July 14, 2026
