Road Safety in Rajasthan: 10-Year Action Plan Unveiled

Rajasthan is set to become the first Indian state to adopt a 10-year action plan for road safety, aimed at reducing road accidents by 50% by the year 2030. The initiative forms part of the 100-day agenda of the new BJP government and will be executed under the guidance of the Transport Department’s road safety cell.

The project will be supported by the World Bank, which will assist in framing the action plan and associated road safety policy by integrating international best practices.

Goals and Implementation Strategy

The proposed road safety action plan will roll out in three clearly defined phases:

Phase 1 (2025–2027): Institutional and Capacity Building

• Strengthen transport and enforcement institutions
• Build technical and operational capacity
• Achieve initial targets outlined in the action plan

Phase 2 (2028–2030): Target 50% Fatality Reduction

• Aligned with the UN’s Second Decade of Action for Road Safety
• Focused interventions to halve fatalities and injuries

Phase 3 (2031–2033): Target 75% Fatality Reduction

• Strengthen reforms from Phase 1 and 2
• Achieve long-term safety and infrastructure goals

Key Features of the Road Safety Policy

Rajasthan’s road safety policy will be comprehensive and multi-sectoral, focusing on infrastructure, behaviour, technology, and enforcement. Key elements include:

• Implementation of the Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD):
  Enables digital data entry and analysis of road accidents for evidence-based policymaking.
• Public Awareness Campaigns:
  Designed to promote road safety rules, behavioural changes, and responsible driving.
• Specific Safety Measures:
  • Enforcement of speed limits
  • Promotion of safe driving distances
  • Compliance with traffic signal norms
  • Barriers and pedestrian zones for safety
  • Use of seatbelts and helmets
  • Mandatory vehicle insurance
• Inter-departmental Collaboration:
  Coordination between Transport, Public Works, Police, Medical & Health, and Forest Departments for accurate reporting and effective implementation.

Infrastructure and Local Governance Involvement

Urban Roads and Vulnerable Users

• The Urban Development Department and urban local bodies will enhance urban road safety, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists.
• A pilot project for dedicated two-wheeler and bicycle lanes on state highways is also in progress.

Local Roads and Black Spots

• The Local Self-Government Department will manage 30,000 km of roads, prioritising the rectification of black spots—high-risk accident zones.

National Highways and Central Agencies

• NHAI and MoRTH will assist Rajasthan in addressing nearly 40% of road deaths that occur on national highways.

Road Accidents in India: The Bigger Picture

Staggering Statistics

• India records an estimated 300,000 road deaths annually (WHO).
• Road crashes account for 5% to 7% of GDP loss.
• Tamil Nadu reports the highest number of accidents.
• Speeding contributes to over 50% of total deaths.
• Dangerous driving leads to over 42,000 deaths annually.

Primary Causes

• Over-speeding: Accounts for over 72% of accidents.
• Distracted driving: Mobile phone use, eating, and multitasking.
• Drunk driving: Around 2% of road accidents.
• Poor road infrastructure: Potholes, weak signage, and unlit streets.
• Neglect of traffic rules: High rate of non-compliance.
• Seatbelt negligence: 83% of victims weren’t wearing one.
• Overloaded vehicles: 10,000 deaths due to overloaded trucks in 2020.

National and Legal Framework for Road Safety in India

Major Legal and Policy Interventions

1. Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019
   • Increased penalties for violations
   • Motor Vehicle Accident Fund
   • National Road Safety Board
2. Carriage by Road Act, 2007
   • Liability regulation of common carriers
3. Control of National Highways Act, 2000
   • Land control and removal of encroachments
4. National Highways Authority of India Act, 1998
   • Maintenance and management of NHs
5. Vehicle Scrapping Policy
   • Removal of unfit and polluting vehicles
6. National Road Safety Policy
   • Based on Sunder Committee recommendations
7. Mandatory Road Safety Audits (RSA)
   • Third-party audits for all NH stages: design to maintenance

Global Commitments and International Best Practices

1. Brasilia Declaration (2015)

India is a signatory, aiming to meet SDG 3.6: Halve global road traffic deaths by 2030.

2. UN’s Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030)

Global plan to prevent 50% of road traffic deaths by 2030, aligned with the Stockholm Declaration.

3. iRAP – International Road Assessment Programme

A not-for-profit that evaluates road safety risks and promotes safer road designs worldwide.

Conclusion: Rajasthan’s Roadmap for Road Safety Can Lead the Nation

Rajasthan’s pioneering 10-year road safety action plan sets a precedent for other Indian states to follow. With international collaboration, robust data systems, public awareness, and strict enforcement, the state is taking a holistic and phased approach to reduce road accident fatalities by 50% by 2030.

If implemented successfully, this model could become a national template for promoting road safety, sustainable transport, and saving lives.

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