ROAD TRANSPORT is the dominant mode of transport in India and is progressively growing in terms of passenger and goods traffic. With rapid expansion of the road network and vehicle fleet and consequent increase in speed, around 4.5 lakh accidents and 1.5 lakh fatalities occur every year causing an estimated economic loss of 3% of GDP.

Accident data indicates that 68% of fatalities involve Vulnerable Road users viz. two wheelers, pedestrians and cyclists. Major causes are over speeding, distraction of drivers, use of mobile and red light jumping. More than half of fatalities involve younger population of less than 35 years of the country.

Thus, it is imperative to improve the safe road transport to prevent adverse social impacts and ensure sustainable economic growth. Under the leadership of Prime Minister and able guidance of Minister (Road Transport & Highways), highest priority is being given to road safety. Ministry is conceptualizing a comprehensive scheme for strengthening 4Es (i.e. Engineering, Enforcement, Education and Emergency Care) in a sustainable manner to achieve impactful outcome by the end of this decade.

National Highways network constitutes 2.3% of total road network of 6.3 million km but it carries 40% of road traffic. The traffic plying on National Highways has high average speed and high percentage of heavy commercial vehicles resulting in about one third of fatalities and accidents on National Highways. Ministry has made Road Safety Audit mandatory at all stages of project implementation to ensure no new project has engineering defects.

Ministry has initiated a pan India drive to eradicate all black spots on National Highways. Of the total 13795 identified black spots, short term measures such as speed calming measures, pavement markings, road signs, solar studs, pedestrian crossings, rumble strips, etc. have been completed in 9525 black spots and remaining are targeted for completion by March, 2025. Analysis has revealed that short term measures have been effective in 85% of black spots and resulted in reduction of accidents involving fatalities and grievous injuries.

Long term measures such as provision of footpaths with railings, junction improvements, flyovers, road widening, geometric improvements, foot over bridges, etc. have been completed on 4593 black spots and the remaining wherever required are targeted for completion by 2026-27. 5 km or more of NH segments which have not witnessed any death in the last 2 years, constitute nearly 14.5% of NH network based on study of large sample and the said NH stretches are proposed as white corridors and field officers have been sensitized to protect these corridors and maintain them in good condition. Enforcement of construction zone safety measures are being taken up with all earnest.

Ministry has introduced e-DAR (Electronic Detailed Accident Report), which is a central database repository for reporting, management and analysis of accident data. Accident spots are promptly identified and visited by field officers concerned to assess engineering defect(s). Remedial measures, if needed, are implemented according to the site requirement. About 5446 accident spots have been provided suitable engineering treatment out of 6014 accident spots requiring engineering interventions as identified upto June, 2024.

Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP), a Star Rating System, at par with global standards, for safety evaluation of new cars and SUVs has been launched.

Prime Minister on August 13, 2021 has launched Vehicle Scrapping Policy for phasing out unfit and polluting vehicles. An ecosystem of Automated Testing Stations (ATS) and Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSF) is being set up across the nation to accelerate the process.