Despite a hike in penalties by The Motor Vehicles Act 2019, youth and road accidents are a Pan-Indian concern now.
Accidents in India claim about 1.5 million lives annually, accounting for 11 per cent of global road fatalities, according to a FICCI-EY report.
Paridhi Dhasmana
A recent fatal road accident in Dehradun which claimed four young lives has initiated a discussion on social media showing a growing Pan-India concern on the need to make our roads safer. Road accidents in India claim about 1.5 million lives annually, accounting for 11 per cent of global road fatalities, according to a FICCI-EY report. Globally, a life is lost every 24 seconds due to road traffic injuries, as highlighted in the report released on Tuesday. The World Health Organisation (WHO) identifies road crashes as the 8th leading cause of death worldwide, with over 1.3 million deaths and 50 million serious injuries reported annually. “Road crashes are the leading cause of death among youth and children aged 5 to 29 years,” says the report. “India ranks first in road fatalities, contributing 11 per cent to the global share. Each year, India loses a population equivalent to the size of Estonia,” the report titled Road Safety in India – Navigating through Nuances noted.
Despite the stricter penalties introduced through the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act of 2019, road accidents involving youth remain a demanding concern throughout the country. Recent data tells that a major share of these accidents involve young persons. According to sources from the Delhi Police in Dwarka, New Delhi, out of 31 recent accidents, 23 involved youth, with negligent driving as the primary cause. In many cases, vehicles involved were found to be speeding over 100 km/hr. Additional factors contributing to these accidents include drunk driving, unfit vehicles, distraction from gadgets, and underage driving.
Enforcing road safety laws remains to be a major challenge for the police. Important issues include the presence of heterogeneity of vehicles, common non-compliance with traffic rules and guidelines, an absence of driving ethics, and poor road engineering. Moreover, enforcement varies usually across cities. For instance, a driver who drives recklessly in Gurugram may drive very cautiously in Chandigarh, where enforcement is stringent. Despite these challenges, the police have been taking the initiative in raising awareness. Initiatives such as road safety sessions in educational institutions and classes for persons challaned for traffic violations are good steps that help in creating the required awareness.
Dr. Ishita Karmakar, a leading Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Sukoon Health in Gurugram, has closely studied the behaviour of youth involved in accidents. She notes that several young persons involved in accidents display behavioural tendencies such as thrill-seeking, attention-seeking, and a false sense of control and achievement. “These youth often fail to differentiate between reality and fiction, influenced by high-speed driving scenes in cinema,” Dr. Karmakar says. She further explains that such persons often lack a balanced understanding of their actions. They fail to understand the repercussions of reckless driving.
Both the police and psychologists underline the need for pre-emptive measures to address this mounting crisis. Suggestions include teaching road rules, nurturing civic sense, and providing psychoeducation at an early age. A mindfulness-based approach to life and a nurturing home environment can also infuse a sense of accountability in children. Professionals recommend including life skill training in the school’s core curriculum to emphasise road safety awareness. Useful steps, such as opting for cabs or carpooling when intoxicated, can prevent avoidable tragedies.
Every citizen needs to take these recommendations seriously and contribute to improving road safety. India’s position as the global leader in road fatalities, with 1.5 million deaths annually, is a grim truth that needs to change. Making our roads safer is not just the duty of the authorities but a joint effort that needs the active involvement of all.
