The road to safety, Pg9

• India recorded 1.68 lakh road accident deaths in 2022, translating to 12.2 deaths per 1 lakh people—among the highest globally.

  • The economic cost of road crashes is estimated at 3% of India’s GDP.

  • The foundation of road safety lies in the constitutional right to life (Article 21), ensuring safe access to public spaces.

  • Urban mobility must be redesigned for inclusivity and pedestrian safety, especially as India’s urban population may reach 50% by 2047.

  • India needs a long-term road safety plan anchored in Vision Zero, which accepts human error but seeks zero deaths.

Detailed Insights:

1. Road Safety Challenges:

• Despite a large road network, India lags in safety due to:

  -   Poor infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.
  -   Weak enforcement of traffic laws.
  
  -   Inadequate driver training and vehicle fitness checks.
  
  
  Compared to Japan (2.57) and UK (2.61) fatalities per lakh population, India's figure (12.2) is extremely high.
  

2. Constitutional Mandate:

• Article 21 of the Constitution ensures the right to move freely without risk of injury.

  • Road safety is thus not a privilege but a legal and moral duty of the state.

3. Engineering and Enforcement Focus:

• MoRTH launched steps like:

  -   **Rectifying 5,000 black spots**
  -   **Mandatory safety audits**
  
  -   **Airbags, ABS, cameras, CCTV**, and **speed enforcement**
  
  -   Nationwide **driving training centers** and **vehicle fitness centers**
  
  
  Emphasis on four Es of road safety: Engineering, Enforcement, Education, Emergency Care
  

4. Investment Outlook:

• World Bank report (2020) estimates $109 billion needed over the next decade to halve fatalities.

  • High returns expected through reduced deaths, saved medical costs, and increased productivity.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Vision Zero: A global road safety strategy that aims for zero fatalities by focusing on system design and human error tolerance.

  • iRAP (International Road Assessment Programme): Global benchmark for road safety intervention returns.

Significance:

• Effective road safety policies are essential for urbanisation, economic productivity, and human dignity.

  • A future-ready mobility system must prioritize the vulnerable: pedestrians, cyclists, elderly, and public transport users.

  • Public-private partnerships can play a critical role, including CSR-led mandates for safer vehicles.

  • Reimagining road design and behavior is key to achieving Viksit Bharat 2047 goals.

Mains Mock Question:

Discuss the constitutional and developmental dimensions of road safety in India. What multi-pronged strategy should India adopt to meet Vision Zero and Viksit Bharat 2047 targets?