Why Indian Road Safety Needs Urgent Help: A Call for Data-Driven Solutions

India's road safety has become a crisis. The road system is on a downwards trend due to the infrastructure deficit and the increase in cars in the country. Road traffic accidents killed almost 1.7 lakh people in India in 2022, which equals more than 460 deaths per day on average. These staggering numbers reveal a deeper systemic issue, one that demands urgent attention.

Despite India’s significant strides in improving its road network, this progress has not been mirrored in efforts to ensure road safety. Even Nitin Gadkari, India’s Road Transport and Highways Minister, has publicly admitted that his biggest regret is not being able to make Indian roads safer. The issue extends far beyond infrastructure, touching on areas of data management, surveillance, and public behavior. Without the help of proper and timely interventions, things will beyond a doubt worsen.

Thumbnail showing a congested Indian road with a warning sign. Text overlay reads 'Indian Road Safety Crisis' and 'Why We Need Change Now,' highlighting the urgent need for road safety improvements.

The solution? A comprehensive approach focusing on data collection, surveillance, and technology integration, coupled with societal change. This article delves into why Indian road safety is screaming for help and how data-driven solutions can pave the way for safer roads.

The Scale of the Problem

Road safety in India is indeed alarming. The nation ranks first among the list of nations with traffic deaths. High street traffic makes India an example of a country which contributes only 1% of the global traffic yet is one of the most dangerous places to drive or walk.

About 1,70000 people were the victims of the terrifying road accidents in India in 2022. Nevertheless, various specialists think that the real number might be a lot more than that. Studies have shown that underreporting and discrepancies in accident data may be concealing the full extent of the problem. A report from Bengaluru, for example, found that police data missed about 5% of road deaths, while another study suggested that there could have been over 2 lakh deaths in 2019, 40% higher than government figures.

Moreover, India's road fatality rate has worsened in comparison to other countries. In 1990, a person from India stood 40% higher chance than their counterparts in Sweden or any Scandinavian nation of dying due to road accidents. Fast forward to 2021, and that risk had ballooned to 600%. This indicates that not only have road fatalities continued, but the risk has escalated over the past three decades.

Why Indian Roads Are So Dangerous

To understand the gravity of India’s road safety problem, it is crucial to examine the underlying causes. In addition to other aspects, one important factor that adds to the road accidents is the wrongly designed roads. Roads are often built without considering critical safety measures, such as proper signage, lane demarcation, or pedestrian crossings. In the countryside, most of the roads are lacking even the most basic things like guardrails, which would be the ones to definitely save the lives of the people in some dangerous places. The design of these roads often leads to fatal collisions and accidents involving both pedestrians and vehicles.

Faulty vehicles are another major contributor to road accidents. In India, it is quite usual for individuals to use such vehicles that are poorly maintained and are not up to the safety standards set by modern times. The situation where vehicle inspections are rarely executed, or safety regulations are not enforced at all allows cars with failures like malfunctioning brakes, worn-out tires, and other defects to be on the roads. They contribute to making the already risky environment much worse and thus increasing the probability of accidents.

Nevertheless, the information concerning the reasons for road accidents is frequently not correct. The causes of an accident piece of paper prove to be "human error," as this is what First Information Report (FIRs) usually records. Over 80% of road accidents in India are attributed to driver fault, while other crucial factors like faulty road design or vehicle malfunctions are rarely documented. This flawed reporting system leads to a skewed understanding of the causes of accidents and prevents authorities from addressing the real issues.

The Importance of Data and Crash Surveillance

One of the most critical steps in addressing India's road safety crisis is improving data collection and crash surveillance. Without accurate data, it is impossible to design effective safety measures. Meanwhile, it is through data-driven systems that these can be the turning point.

Countries like Sweden, the US, and Australia have already embraced advanced crash surveillance systems, leading to significant reductions in road fatalities. For example, Sweden’s "Vision Zero" initiative, launched in 1997, aims to eliminate road fatalities entirely. This ambitious plan is powered by data. Sweden’s STRADA (Swedish Traffic Accident Data Acquisition) system integrates police and hospital data to provide a complete picture of road accidents. This enables the authorities to track tendencies, judge the risk factors, and create targeted interventions. Thus, Sweden, in two decades, has decreased road deaths by 50%.

Along the same lines, V2X technology, which enables cars to communicate with one another and with the surrounding infrastructure, is being implemented in the United States. This live data transmission lowers the number of accidents by informing drivers of possible dangers and getting help faster. Data from these systems is also used to inform policy decisions and enhance road safety efforts.

Australia has implemented real-time highway surveillance, allowing authorities to monitor traffic and identify potential dangers. This has not only reduced accidents but also contributed to better road design by highlighting problematic areas that need improvement.

The Potential of Technology in Road Safety

However, the road safety technology in India is still at its early stage of development. Although some cities have installed cameras and sensors to monitor traffic, these systems cover only a small portion of the country’s road network. The use of AI (artificial intelligence) and V2X technology to analyze road data is limited, and smart road initiatives are still in their early stages.

In contrast, technological evolution saves a lot for the road safety sector. The real-time crash surveillance systems, for example, can capture the vital information on the accident like the speed of the vehicle, the road conditions, and the severity of the injuries. This fact can be used to work on changing and improving road infrastructure, punishing traffic offenders more strictly, and preventing accidents.

Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology, which is being rolled out in countries like the US, could also revolutionize road safety in India. This technology enables vehicles to converse with traffic lights, other cars, and pedestrians, thereby building up a connected environment which can avert accidents. For example, a case where a vehicle rushes to a red light; The traffic light can communicate with the driver to slow down or stop. In the same way, the automobiles may communicate with one another to speed away from any impending accident and thus avoid a collision in real-time.

India's ambitions for the maximum benefits of emerging technologies must be matched by the necessity of massive investments in infrastructure and data collection systems. The integration of AI for data analysis and predictive modeling could greatly enhance the ability to foresee and prevent accidents.

Challenges Facing India

Road safety in India faces the challenge of lack of infrastructure and funding for advanced surveillance systems. Though some cities are equipped with traffic cameras, their coverage is limited and the data is frequently not utilized at all. Moreover, a large share of accidents takes place near rural areas and thus, these areas are completely lacking such technology.

Another critical factor contributing to India’s road safety crisis is the cultural attitude towards traffic laws. A pervasive lack of respect for road safety rules is evident among both motorists and pedestrians. Drivers very often disregard speed limits, evade red lights, and pay no attention to lane markings, while pedestrians typically cross roads in a careless manner and do not look at the traffic. Technological interventions alone will not be sufficient to curb the number of road accidents until there is a societal shift in how road safety is perceived.

The economic impact that traffic accidents bring is a matter of a concern for every sector. Road accidents severely affect the poor ones, which in turn, drive the families even deeper into the poverty trap. The World Bank estimates that over 70% of road crash victims in India come from disadvantaged backgrounds. These families often struggle to cover medical expenses and the loss of income that results from a road accident, deepening the cycle of poverty.

India’s Vision for Zero Road Fatalities by 2030

India has committed to achieving zero road fatalities by 2030 as part of its global road safety targets. However, without a robust crash surveillance system and improved data collection, this vision may remain elusive. The government must prioritize investments in technology, infrastructure, and road safety education if it hopes to meet this ambitious goal.

The only way out of this governmental tangle is coming up with a solid road safety plan considering all sides. This includes enforcing stricter traffic laws, improving road design, and implementing a comprehensive crash surveillance system. Moreover, public awareness campaigns can act very decisively on changing societal attitudes to road safety. Campaigns should chase the goal of keeping the public aware of the importance of complying with the traffic laws and the danger involved in rash driving.

Moreover, the collaboration of private and governmental sectors can serve as a springboard for the adoption of V2X, AI-based traffic monitoring and real-time surveillance technologies. By leveraging technology, India can not only reduce road fatalities but also improve overall traffic management and ensure a safer road network for everyone.

Conclusion

India’s road safety crisis demands urgent action. With nearly 1.7 lakh deaths in 2022 alone, the time for half-measures has long passed. The solution lies in better data collection, enhanced surveillance, and the widespread adoption of advanced technologies. Countries like Sweden, the US, and Australia have demonstrated that data-driven approaches can significantly reduce road fatalities.

However, technology alone isn't the main solution to the problem. Change of mind of society regarding road safety is also necessary. Until there is a collective effort to respect traffic laws and prioritize safety, India will continue to witness a high number of road accidents.

By embracing a comprehensive, data-driven strategy, India can turn the tide on road safety and work towards its vision of zero road fatalities by 2030. The risks are great and the moment to do something is right now.

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