Context: Recently, the WHO published the report ‘Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023’.

Key Findings of the Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023

• Global Trends
  • Global Decline in Road Crash Deaths: The total number of deaths in road crashes across the globe dropped from 1.25 million to 1.19 million between 2010- 2021.
    • This drop in global road fatalities is significant, since:
      • During the same period, the global motor vehicle fleet grew 160%.
      • The global population increased by nearly 14 billion, or roughly 13%.
  • Ten countries succeeded in reducing road traffic deaths by over 50%.
    • Ten countries include Belarus, Brunei Darussalam, Denmark, Japan, Lithuania, Norway, Russian Federation, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela)  
  • Short of UN Decade of Action Target for 2030: The efforts to improve road safety are making progress but fall short of meeting the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030 target to halve deaths by 2030. 
  • 9 in 10 deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
  • As of 2019, road crashes were the leading cause of deaths globally among children and youth aged five to 29 years.
  • Regional Distribution:

• India Specific
• • Road accident deaths in India have increased by 15%, while other countries have reported a decline in road fatalities .
  • Total number of road traffic fatalities in India went up to 1.54 lakh in 2021 from 1.34 lakh in 2010. 

Key Recommendation the Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023

• Better Infrastructure: The Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023 emphasizes the need for better infrastructure, as nearly 80% of all assessed roads do not meet a minimum 3-star rating for pedestrian safety.

Steps taken by India for Road Safety

• Legislation: The passage of Motor Vehicles Act in 2019, whose spelled out intent and purpose was to decrease road accidents through strict enforcement, high penalties and use of technology to deter traffic violation. 
• Road Design: Road Safety Audit (RSA) of all highway projects has been made mandatory at all stages, Black spots (accident prone spots) on national highways are being identified and rectified. 
• Emergency Care: Cashless Treatment for accident victims during golden hour in MV (Amendment) Act 2019, Provision of ambulance at all toll plazas of national highway. 
• Awareness: Road Safety Campaigns in partnership with NGOs are being organized to improve awareness about safety rules. 

Also Read:

• WHO Report On Tobacco Control
• WHO Report On The ‘Har Ghar Jal’ Program
• Global TB Report 2023 By World Health Organization (WHO)

News Source: The Hindu