Model Answer

Road accidents are preventable human-induced disasters involving sudden loss of life, livelihood and infrastructure. India recorded 4.88 lakh accidents and 1.77 lakh deaths in 2024, necessitating a shift from reactive traffic management to comprehensive disaster-risk reduction.

Why road accidents remain a major disaster risk

1. Overspeeding remains the dominant behavioural risk. e.g: Over 1.23 lakh deaths in 2024.
2. Unsafe road engineering creates recurring hazards. e.g: Accident black spots on National Highways.
3. Weak enforcement encourages risky behaviour. e.g: Helmet, seat-belt and lane violations.
4. Mixed traffic increases vulnerability of road users. e.g: Pedestrians and two-wheelers.
5. Delayed trauma response converts injuries into fatalities. e.g: Inadequate Golden Hour care.

Road safety through a disaster-management approach

1. Prevention requires safer roads and vehicles. e.g: MoRTH’s 4Es approach.
2. Mitigation requires systematic black-spot identification and rectification. e.g: NHAI interventions.
3. Preparedness needs integrated emergency-response systems. e.g: Universal emergency number 112.
4. Response requires rapid ambulance and trauma-care networks. e.g: Supreme Court recognised trauma care under Article 21 in 2026.
5. Community participation can improve immediate rescue. e.g: Good Samaritan protections under Section 134A.

Way Forward

1. Adopt Safe-System principles with data-driven road audits.
2. Establish trauma centres along high-risk corridors.
3. Integrate iRAD data with district disaster-management planning.

Treating road crashes as preventable disasters can shift India from post-accident compensation towards risk reduction, preparedness and rapid trauma response, thereby substantially reducing avoidable fatalities.