GUIDELINES FOR SAFER AND BETTER ROADS (Paper 803)

A global report on road safety published by World Health Organization in 2015 showcases that 1.25 million people die every year due to road accidents. Almost 91% of victim on road belong to low income and middle income countries which cater only half of world’s vehicles. The report also predicts that by 2020 road accidents will be the 3rd greatest cause of death which will rise from 1.2 to 2 million people annually in the coming years. India’s road network is the second largest road network of the world consisting approximately 33 lakh kilometers. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government
of India reports the number of deaths due to road traffic crashes was estimated to be 1,46,133 in 2015. Whereas in 2014 the number of fatalities were 1, 39, 671. The Ministry has further fixed a sanction ceiling of 600 rupees crore for taking up Road Safety works on national highways for the year 2016-17. Considering on the measures already taken by various countries across the globe to cater the issue of road safety, India faces the challenge
to strategize and develop better safety practices. To deal with road safety several European countries have already shown examples of successful preventive measures and guidelines. Road safety can be an important aspect in planning process. The research paper aims to address the issue of road safety on national highways in India and develop recommendations for safer roads considering the best practices across the globe which have successfully curve road fatalities.