STEERING THE WORLD TOWARDS SAFER ROADS

Road accidents are the largest killer of young people worldwide, and more than 100,000 people are killed or injured on the world’s roads daily. G20 countries that include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, United Kingdom and the United States – and the European Union account for 59 % of global road traffic fatalities and include some of the world’s best and worst performing countries. It’s a proven fact that more people are killed in road accidents than they were killed in #Covid.

Impacts of Road Accidents in India:

• Economic loss: India loses 3% of its GDP—a hefty yet preventable loss.

• Impact on Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs): VRUs, primarily the economically disadvantaged, especially working-age males, bear the brunt, accounting for over half of all road crash fatalities and severe injuries in the country.
• Gender Specific Challenges: Women in affected families, irrespective of their economic status, shoulder additional responsibilities. A 2021 World Bank report highlighted that approximately 50% of women faced severe financial setbacks following road accidents.

· ? ? ? ? Sector-Specific Challenges: 70% of road fatalities are people belonging to the economically productive section of the population.

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The World Bank notes that improving road safety in India is vital to the nation’s health, well-being, and economic growth. Road safety was intrinsically linked with the #G20’s main agenda of economic growth and prosperity. However, the issue does not seem to have received headline space on the group’s agenda so far. In 2016, international road safety organisations requested G20 leaders to support the UN goal of halving the death toll on roads by 2030. The proposal, however, did not go much further.

Road injury prevention has been included in the Sustainable Development Goals. The global mandate to improve road safety is especially critical for the 19, G20 countries which include

. As a part of the plan it is recommended that the G20 countries implement minimum safety regulations for all new and used vehicles and new and existing roads and infrastructure according to the recommendations articulated in the United Nations Global Road Safety Performance Targets and the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030.

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GLOBAL ROAD SAFETY TARGETS:

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Target 1: By 2020, all countries establish a comprehensive multi sectoral national road safety action plan with time-bound targets

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Target 2: By 2030, all countries accede to one or more of the core road safety-related UN legal instruments

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Target 3: By 2030, all new roads achieve technical standards for all road users that take into account road safety, or meet a three-star rating or better.

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Target 4: By 2030, more than 75% of travel on existing roads will be on roads that meet technical standards for all road users that take into account road safety.

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Target 5: By 2030, 100% of new (defined as produced, sold, or imported) and used vehicles meet high-quality safety standards, such as the recommended priority UN Regulations, Global Technical Regulations, or equivalent recognized national performance requirements.

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Target 6: By 2030, halve the proportion of vehicles traveling over the posted speed limit and achieve a reduction in speed-related injuries and fatalities.

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Target 7: By 2030, increase the proportion of motorcycle riders correctly using standard helmets to close to 100%.

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Target 8: By 2030, increase the proportion of motor vehicle occupants using safety belts or standard child restraint systems to close to 100%.

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INDIA - STEERING THE WORLD TOWARDS SAFER ROADS

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The New Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, 2019 & Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (#Bharat NCAP) shows India’s intention on Road Safety but if we can adopt the #covidapproach we will be able to reach the #goal much faster

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India’s adept handling of the COVID-19 pandemic showcases its ability to tackle complex challenges, highlighting India’s potential to lead globally, including in road safety. If we look at the India’s COVID management - it is a great success story and proved to be a torch bearer for the rest of the world. ‘Jan Andolan’ and ‘Jan Bhagidari’ have been key pillars and leadership, innovation, dedication, partnership, sharing and leveraging technology proved to be decisive in this process. But this cannot be achieved if the Government, Private organisations, Institutions, and Road users don’t work together.

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The whole of government approach of putting in place essential protocols, besides promoting the active role of the private sector, raising additional resources, and accelerating the tendering process helped to achieve the ultimate goal. If we can adopt the same approach to achieve Safer Roads, Safer Vehicles, Strict Enforcement of laws, Awareness of Road Users, and Safer Drivers we will achieve these Road Safety targets much faster and set an example for the world.

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