The incidence of road accidents in India surged by a staggering 12 per cent in 2022, culminating in the tragic loss of 19 lives in a startling 53 road accidents every hour, as per the report issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). The contents of the report indeed contain unsettling revelations. It is a matter of great concern that national highways emerge as significant contributor to the unfortunate incidents on the road. What’s surprising is that the majority of these accidents occur in sparsely populated, open areas devoid of nearby localities. It is deeply distressing that straight roads, which should ideally be safer, appear to be the primary sites for accidents. What’s even more disheartening is that a considerable portion of those affected by these accidents falls within the productive working-age group, representing a substantial loss to the nation.
Two-wheeler users appear to be the most vulnerable road users, and the primary cause of accidents is being rear-ended by other vehicles. These statistics paint a grim picture that sharply contradicts the policies and measures put forth by the Ministry to curtail accidents. The imposition of heavy fines, intended to deter reckless behaviour, has seemingly had little to no impact. Furthermore, the construction of highways to increase speed and reduce travel time appears to have led to a corresponding increase in accidents, raising questions about the effectiveness of such measures. It is becoming evident that the authorities are struggling to enforce traffic rules effectively, and on the commuters’ part, there is a rise in dangerous practices such as driving on the wrong side, excessive speeding, and flouting road regulations, thereby putting their own lives at risk. Instilling safe driving habits must begin at the foundational stage of learning to drive, and this can play a pivotal role in preventing accidents. A comprehensive approach encompassing infrastructure improvements, stringent law enforcement, and extensive public awareness campaigns is the only way to combat these alarming statistics.
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