Govt. launches drive to reduce road accident deaths, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways launched a data-driven zero-fatalities programme in collaboration with the Save Life Foundation.
• The program targets 100 districts with the highest number of road crashes across 15 States.
• The initiative aims to reduce road deaths by 50% by 2030, aligning with the government's pledge.
• An analysis of the 100 districts recorded nearly 89,000 road deaths in 2023 and 2024.

Detailed Insights:

• The program prioritizes districts because 63% of road accident fatalities occur outside National Highways.
• Interventions are coordinated at the district level due to the influence of local factors like road design, traffic enforcement, and hospital preparedness.
• The Save Life Foundation mapped 17,331 critical crash locations, accounting for 58% of total fatalities.
• Analysis revealed that rear-end collisions accounted for 26% of fatalities, head-on collisions 23%, and pedestrian crashes 23%.
• The program includes engineering audits, low-cost safety interventions, and improved trauma care response.
• District Collectors, Transport Ministers, and MPs from the 100 districts will form an accident prevention committee.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Road Safety Audit: A formal safety performance examination of an existing or future road or street.
• Trauma Care: Coordinated medical care to treat severe injuries and sudden illnesses.
• Zero-Fatalities Programme: Aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries.