According to World Health Organization (WHO) there were 1.25 million road traffic deaths globally in 2013. Out of which in India estimated number of road traffic deaths were 2,07,551 which is estimated to road traffic death rate of 16.6 ( per 1,00,000 population). Is our life so cheap..? Almost half of all the deaths on the World roads are among those with the least protection- motor cyclist, cyclist and pedestrian. Talking about percentage of deaths by type of road user in India in 2013 –
- Drivers of 4-Wheeled Vehicle = 17.2%
- Drivers of 2 or 3 Wheelers = 33.9%
- Cyclists = 3.5%
- Pedestrian = 9.1%
- Others Unspecified Users = 36.2%
During the year 2013, total number of accidents was recorded as 4,86,476. In these road accidents, 1,37,572 person were killed and 4,94,893 person were injured.
A look at road accidents data from the road category perspective, it is seen that 1,36,786 (28.1%) accidents took place on National Highway, 1,24,358 (25.6%) accidents took place on State Highways and 2,25,332 (46.3%) accident took place on other category of roads.
There is a need to record the road accident data properly and carry out in depth analysis for the reasons / causes of the accidents so that suitable mitigative measures can be taken. However as per an analysis conducted by Ministry of Road Transport and Highway, Government of India, it seen that in almost 80% cases the road accidents are being caused by the fault of the driver or the pedestrian. Breakup of the reasons causing the road accidents is as under –
- Driver’s Fault – 78.0%
- Fault of Pedestrian – 2.0%
- Fault of cyclist – 0.8%
- Defects in condition of Motor Vehicle – 1.9%
- Defects in Road Condition – 1.4%
- Weather Condition – 1.0%
- All other causes – 14.9%
