In a concerning revelation, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari highlighted the alarming rise in road accidents across India, attributing a significant portion to the “lack of fear of the law.” During the Rajya Sabha’s question-hour session, Gadkari emphasized the urgent need to instill a sense of discipline and respect for traffic rules to curb accidents and prevent unnecessary loss of lives.
Gadkari underscored overspeeding and the lack of lane discipline as major factors contributing to accidents, urging a fundamental shift in people’s mindsets towards traffic rule violations. Expressing dismay over the absence of public fear or regard for the law, he stressed the importance of stakeholder cooperation and educational institutions in effecting this change. The minister outlined a goal to halve accident-related deaths by 2030 through concerted efforts towards road safety.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had earlier released a report titled ‘Road Accidents in India-2022,’ labeling last year’s road accidents as an “all-time high.” The report highlighted overspeeding as the primary cause, accounting for 71.2% of fatalities, followed by driving on the wrong side (5.4%).
Comparing statistics, Gadkari noted an 11.9% surge in road accidents in 2022 compared to 2021, with a 9.4% increase in fatalities and injuries. In 2022, 4,61,312 accidents resulted in 1,68,491 casualties, contrasting with 4,12,432 accidents and 1,53,972 casualties in 2021, as per Gadkari’s parliamentary reply.
Despite significant investments in enhancing highway infrastructure, the report revealed that 33% of all road accidents and 35% of fatal accidents occurred on national highways and expressways. Gadkari highlighted the government’s efforts, citing the highest-ever allocation of Rs. 2.7 trillion from the Union Budget to the highways ministry in FY24, and a remarkable 43% increase in the pace of national highway construction over the past five years.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Gadkari emphasized the government’s commitment to address the issue promptly. He detailed plans to transition from a three-year lag in publishing accident data to real-time monitoring, aiming for a system that swiftly collects accident data and initiates corrective measures within 15 days.
Gadkari’s remarks signify a concerted effort by the government to tackle the rise in road accidents, placing a strong emphasis on immediate action, improved infrastructure, and a shift in societal attitudes towards road safety.
Sources By Agencies
