Context:

Road safety is now a pressing global concern that requires the immediate attention of individual nations, the international community, and the influential G20 group.

More on News:

• Persistent High Fatality Rates: Despite heightened public awareness, road fatalities, particularly in countries like India, remain unacceptably high.
• G20’s Oversight: It is noteworthy that the G20, with its focus on economic growth, has yet to accord road safety the attention it merits. Despite earnest endeavours, the UN’s target of halving road deaths by 2030 appears elusive.

Impacts of Road Accidents:

• Economic Consequences: Road accidents inflict a substantial economic toll, costing India a significant 3% of its GDP—a hefty yet preventable loss.

• Disproportionate Toll on Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs): VRUs, primarily the economically disadvantaged, especially working-age males, bear the brunt, accounting for over half of all road crash fatalities and severe injuries in the country.
• Gender-Specific Challenges: Women in affected families, irrespective of their economic status, shoulder additional responsibilities. 
• World Bank Insights: A 2021 World Bank report highlighted that approximately 50% of women faced severe financial setbacks following road accidents.

National Legislation and Initiatives:

• Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, 2019:
  • Strengthening Legal Framework: The Motor Vehicles Amendment Act of 2019 significantly increases penalties for traffic violations, addresses defective vehicles, and tackles juvenile driving.
  • Promoting Insurance Cover: This Act introduces the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, providing compulsory insurance coverage for certain accident types.
  • Central Coordination: It also establishes the National Road Safety Board under the Central Government’s jurisdiction, ensuring coordinated efforts across the nation.
• Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP)
  • Enhancing Vehicle Safety and Voluntary Manufacturer Participation: Bharat NCAP is an initiative that raises safety standards for motor vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes in India.
  • Consumer Empowerment: It empowers consumers by providing a tool to compare the crash safety of different motor vehicles available in the market and assigns star ratings for Adult Occupants (AOP) and Child Occupants (COP) safety based on comprehensive test results.
• National Road Safety Week
  • Led by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
  • Focuses on road safety awareness.
  • Includes workshops, campaigns, and educational initiatives.

G20 and India: Steering the World Towards Safer Roads

• India’s Pandemic Response as a Model: India’s adept handling of the COVID-19 pandemic showcases its ability to tackle complex challenges, highlighting India’s potential to lead globally, including in road safety.
• The G20 Road Safety Fund (G20 RSF) Proposal: The proposal suggests establishing a G20 Road Safety Fund (G20 RSF) to significantly reduce global road accidents, potentially serving as a pivotal resource for worldwide road safety initiatives.
• Comprehensive National Road Safety Plans: Encouraging G20 member nations to create comprehensive national road safety plans with ambitious targets is paramount. 
  • These plans should be adequately funded and granted administrative autonomy, all while maintaining transparency and accountability.
• Privatization for Safer Roads: Consider privatizing road safety systems in accident-prone areas and highways, leading to the creation of Zones of Excellence in Road Safety (ZoEs). 
  • These ZoEs could serve as models for elevating road safety standards globally.

Conclusion:

• The G20’s Central Role: The G20 plays a pivotal role in shaping the global road safety agenda, aligning with its mission of promoting economic growth and prosperity.
• Institutional Mechanism: Urgent establishment of an institutional mechanism dedicated to road safety is vital for coordinated global efforts.
• India’s Leadership: India, with its proven ability to handle crises, can steer G20 resources toward meaningful change.
• Alignment with G20’s Theme: These endeavours align seamlessly with the G20’s current theme of “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”

News Source: The Indian Express