Strengthening Highway Road Safety in India: Need for an Integrated Approach

Indian highways constitute 2% of the total road network and transport nearly 25% of vehicles and goods and contribute for 30-40% of road deaths. The spatial distribution of highways is unique as they traverse through villages, towns, districts across the total network. Crashes occurring on these roads are different due to traffic mix of heavy vehicles with smaller vehicles along with vulnerable road users (VRUs), varying speeds and presence of other risk behaviors and exposures. Among those killed and injured, pedestrians motorized two-wheeler occupants, bicyclists and passengers of heavy vehicles constitute larger numbers. The outcome is also poor in highway crashes as impact of heavy vehicles with VRUs result in higher extent of body injuries and greater number of deaths. The interaction of human vehicle factor in these complex road environments has not been understood in totality to formulate effective safety programs. Highway safety issues deserve a separate place in formulation of national road safety policy and program. Specific areas requiring intervention are design and operation of roads, crash worthiness of vehicles, control of speed drunk driving and driver fatigue, provision for VRUs and slow traffic, strengthening of trauma care systems and traffic calming mechanisms. Undoubtedly, there is need to move from pessimistic thinking to promotion of more passive countermeasures to save lives on highways.