Road safety in India: taming the untamed

India has a high rate of fatalities in road accidents due to a poor understanding of road safety principles. There are problems with the behaviour of pedestrians and non-motorised vehicles (bicycles, rickshaws), the failure of designers to take into account local conditions, inadequate transport legislation and an ineffective enforcement system. Measures to improve road safety are recommended: the enactment of the Road Traffic Act, improved traffic design and evaluation, stricter enforcement of traffic management procedures, modernisation of the licensing system, and accident data recording and programme evaluation. The Indian government's role in improving road safety is discussed with reference to policies for raising awareness of road safety issues, improving legislation, compiling a road safety information database, developing a safer road infrastructure and safer vehicles, educating drivers, traffic enforcement and research on road safety.