Executive Summary

During the year 2021, a total of 4,12,432 roadway accidents leading to 1,53,972 deaths were
reported by all the States/UTs in India. Apart from the human factors, another major cause
for road accidents is the road environment and design. Despite the advancements in
technology and increased awareness among people about road safety, poorly maintained
roads and inadequate infrastructure continue to pose a significant threat to the road users.
In this context, it is essential to understand the factors that contribute to poor road
infrastructure and the measures that can be taken to improve road safety and prevent
accidents.

What’s at stake?

Road accidents are one of the major causes of unnatural death in India, where approximately,
18 people succumb to death every hour. The consequences of road accidents are far-reaching
and can have severe implications for individuals, families, and communities. Lives are lost,
and injuries sustained in accidents can result in long-term disabilities and trauma for those
involved. This becomes even more problematic when in most situations the accidents are a
result of negligent in maintenance of roads which could be easily catered to by active
participation of the state. Beyond the human cost, road accidents also lead to significant
economic losses due to property damage, medical expenses, and reduced productivity.
Moreover, road accidents can cause traffic congestion, affecting the flow of goods and
services, and impacting the overall economy. This becomes even more problematic when in
most situations the accidents are a result of negligent in maintenance of roads which could be
easily catered to by active participation of the state.

Research Approach

The report “Road Accidents in India 2021” published annually by Ministry of Road
Transport and Highway’s Transport Wings cumulates data collected from every State’s
police stations shows that accidents occurring due to the road environment happens majorly
in open areas rather than residential/market/institutional areas, and depend on the features of
the road comprising these areas which is further influenced by traffic and public’s driving
tendencies in different kinds of roads.

Asian Development Bank’s “Road Safety Guidelines for the Asian and Pacific Region”
identifies the problems related to road safety in the Asian and Pacific region and provides
implementation framework and policy recommendations to tackle the concerning issue. xs

Results

Road designs like sharp curves, potholes, steep grade roads, etc. are more accident prone

Although it does not seem like a major concern, but road features like sharp curves, potholes,
steep grade roads, under-construction roads pose a serious concern and have resulted in
4,12,432 accidents in 2021. It is because these encounters on the road require one to negotiate
through their speed, extra care, skill, alertness is demanded.
Straight roads call for higher rate of accidents, deaths and fatal injuries

In 2021, straight roads account for 67.5% of the accidents because in better quality roads the
vehicles tend to overspeed in open areas, where signals, congestion and safety guards are
lesser in number. The drivers tend to become reckless on such roads, as a result 2,78,218
accidents have occurred on straight roads resulting in 1,02,623 persons being killed (20.7%).

Accidents are more likely to occur on roadways in open areas as compared to

residential/institutional/commercial areas

Accident levels differ on the basis of neighbourhoods. 46.9% of accidents, and 54.2% of
deaths occur in open areas because in these areas normal human activities are low, hence, the
drivers tend to overspeed and rash drive.

Unmanaged road junctions reveal highest number of road accidents

Road junctions are where traffics merge, hence, the chances of collisions and accidents
increase. In 2021, 4,12,432 accidents occurred in. various kinds of junctions. Different
junctions have different traffic control mechanisms, for example traffic light signals, police
controlled signals, etc. Out of various junctions, it is the uncontrolled signals where the
highest number of accidents take place (73,155 in 2021) killing 25,073 persons.

Threat to pedestrians and two-wheeler riders are much higher than four-wheel drivers

The poor lane management on roads and highways causes significant accidents (52,416) and
deaths (22,786) of pedestrians and two-wheeler riders, and the same is much higher than that
of car/taxi drivers (9,191). World Health Organisation also recognises pedestrians/cyclists
and motorcyclists as vulnerable road users. Either there is an absence of designated lanes, or
there is failure to follow the road/traffic rules, this puts other road users at risk. The problem
is accentuated by over-speeding.

Procedural delays in road construction projects

Poor road management is at the pivotal of rising road accident statistics. The government has
recognised it as a problem, and proposed various road development projects. However, the
same has been of very little success. There exists a huge contrast between the projects
approved, and the ones actually put into execution. It is because of the procedural and legal
delays in land acquisition, environmental clearances, project financing, lack of infrastructural
support.

Suggestions

There must be a standard for road sings and markings to inform and navigate the drivers,
especially to warn of any hazards ahead. These signs should be applied consistently within a
state, and must have minimum wordings. Signs should preferably be retro-reflective. It is
important that the signs be well-maintained and not obscured by any vegetation.

Speed limits should be clearly signposted, and to be in accordance with actual traffic
conditions prevalent in the respective neighbourhood and in line with the road features. Mere
usage of signs are not enough, physical features like road narrowing, road humps, etc. must
be used to bring the speed to the desired level. In straight roads/highways, technologically
advanced speed sensing cameras must be installed supplemented with strict penalisations.

Adequate lighting must be done on the roadways, as it increases the visibility especially for
vulnerable road users like pedestrians/cyclists operating without headlights. After installation,
to avoid the risks caused by uneven illumination, the lights must be maintained. As lighting is
expensive, places of potential danger must be prioritised.

For pedestrian and motorist safety, segregated lanes on the sides of roads should be
constructed, it reduces danger from rash drivers. Adequate footway areas are required. Zebras
and other types of crossings with or without signals must be put in place, and should
maintained, and ensured that the same are in sight and knowledge of the users. Parking bans
on the side of busy roads to ease the flow of vehicles.

Government’s financial constraints become the main reason for negligence in maintenance of
roadways. Public Private Partnerships are an effective way to arrange funding for road
maintenance. There are various models of PPPs, and it can be strategically used even for
better and more accident-resilient construction of roads.