New Delhi: India witnesses a staggering number of road accidents every year, making road safety a critical concern. Recently, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju addressed this issue, emphasizing the urgent need for stricter adherence to traffic rules.
India Leads the World in Road Accidents
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju highlighted that India ranks highest globally in road accidents. He stressed that road safety is crucial for every citizen and urged people to follow traffic regulations to reduce mishaps. Rijiju remarked, “The highest number of road accidents in the world occur in our country, which is alarming. Every citizen must be responsible while on the road.”
Shocking Road Accident Statistics in India
Earlier, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari shared alarming figures, revealing that:
480,000 road accidents occurred in India in a single year.
180,000 people lost their lives in these accidents.
400,000 individuals suffered serious injuries.
Among these fatalities, 140,000 victims were aged between 18 to 45 years, with two-wheeler riders and pedestrians being the most vulnerable.
Economic Impact of Road Accidents
The economic consequences of these accidents are also severe. According to government data, India loses nearly 3% of its GDP due to road accidents. Minister Rijiju held poor road infrastructure, inadequate planning, and substandard Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) responsible for the rising number of accidents. He also pointed fingers at engineers for their role in improper road designs.
Government’s Target: 50% Reduction in Accidents by 2030
The Indian government is committed to tackling road accidents with a bold goal of reducing accident rates by 50% by 2030. Minister Rijiju called for stronger collaboration between the government and industry stakeholders to implement effective road safety strategies. He emphasized the need for innovative solutions and policy reforms to curb the alarming accident rates.
Conclusion
With India leading the world in road accident fatalities, urgent action is necessary. Strict enforcement of traffic rules, better road infrastructure, and public awareness can significantly reduce accidents. The government’s ambitious target of cutting accidents by half by 2030 could be a game-changer for road safety in India.