- At the best of times, the Indian roads are hardly commute-worthy since the potholed stretches and craters form the bulk. Ask the Indian commuters and travellers from around the country, the answer will be in unison about how bad the experience will be while maneuvering the roads. Even though the vehicle density has increased manifolds, the commensurate provision for a smooth commuting experience is sorely lacking. Of course, due credit should accrue to the Union Transport Ministry for undertaking the construction of national highways at a breathtaking speed. Unfortunately, the same zeal is grossly lacking in the interiors where the roads remain in a deplorable state. The poor workmanship in executing the work is palpable.
PC:Indiatimes
- The bane of corruption is visible all around with poor execution of works. So much so that the Indian roads have become death traps for commuters. Little wonder India grabbed the dubious distinction of being the global leader in traffic deaths again. And, again, nothing will change. This is the saddest story. It’s a record high, a shameful one. Yet it is little surprise that India tops the world in the number of road fatalities. What is wrong with our policymakers and the administrators? The chilling numbers speak to a deadly yet unchanging mix of civic apathy, govt negligence, and a fatalistic attitude. Barring a slight dip during Covid in 2020 and 2021, road deaths are climbing apace. Let’s delve deep to comprehend how miserable the statistics are.
PC:BBC
- If it was 1.59L deaths in 2019, there were 1.69L fatalities in 2022. In 2023, that number stood at 1.73L. Of these, 35k were pedestrians. 10k deaths occurred outside schools and colleges. Road design, insufficient safety barriers, poor signage, poor oversight, and practically non-existent trauma aid – especially in states like UP that see the greatest number of accidents – are among the biggest hurdles to safer roads. Take highways for instance. They account for only 5% of the total road network but contribute to over 60% of road fatalities. These 60% are a result of all the factors cited above as much as the high speeds, which are a huge challenge as well. If the onus of safer road infra is entirely on govts, the onus of safer driving is a shared responsibility.
PC:The Hindu
Undoubtedly, Indians collectively are terrible drivers. Flouting rules, the laws, and abandoning common sense – we drive on the wrong side of flyovers with elan and with a mobile in hand – are second nature. It is but an extension of our abuse of public spaces, which as a people we do not know how to navigate. Enforcement of rules is as efficient as the next traffic cop – and we know countrywide what that means. The bigger the SUVs, the more the belief that might is right of way. Rules-breaking two-wheelers are an added menace. Cyclists and pedestrians risk life and limb to navigate roads made primarily for cars. It’s a very serious matter. Yet, the needle barely moves on making roads safer. All of us must chip in to ensure we reduce traffic deaths.
