In 2020, more than 131,000 people were killed in 354,796 road crashes across India. This means that for even 100 road crashes, 37 people died.
335,201 people were injured in the road crashes that took place in 2020.
The grievous injuries inflicted in road crashes can leave a person crippled for life and devastates families financially given the medical costs of such injuries and the inability for the victim to work.
The socio-economic cost of road crashes in India runs between INR 1.19 thousand crores (15.71 billion USD) to INR 2.93 thousand crores (38.81 billion USD)
Speeding, drink driving, rash driving and not adhering to road safety measures are the major causes of road crashes in India.
As per WHO, a 1% increase in mean speed produces a 4% increase in fatal crash risk and a 3% increase in serious crash risk.
The risk of death for pedestrians hit by a vehicle rises rapidly as speed increased, 4.5 times from 50 km/h to 65 km/h.
In the case of drink driving, the risk of a road crash starts at low levels of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and increases significantly when the driver's BAC is ≥ 0.04 g/dl.
Not using safety gear, including seat-belts and helmets, adds to the severity of injuries inflicted in road crashes and the chances of the injuries being fatal.
Correct helmet use by strapping the helmet can lead to a 42% reduction in the risk of fatal injury and a 69% reduction in the risk of head injury.
Wearing a seat-belt reduces the risk of death among drivers and front seat occupants by 45 - 50%, and the risk of death and serious injuries among rear-seat occupants by 25%.
In accordance with the Safe Systems Approach, where we believe that saving lives is more about having a better system such as safer roads that minimise crashes and adopting safe speeds. With a vision of attaining “Zero Fatalities” in road crashes, Government of Delhi has been rolling out multiple measures, including the substantial increment in fines for various road offences.
Here is a list of the offences and the punishment that has now been implemented under the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, 2019.
| Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Driving/Riding Without Licence | ₹5,000 and/or community service |
| Driving/Riding Under the Influence of an Intoxicating Substance | ₹10,000 and/or 6 months prison | ₹15,000 and/or 2 years jail for repetitive violation. |
| Overspeeding | LMV: ₹1,000- ₹2,000 MPV/HPV: ₹2,000- ₹4,000 (+ licence seizure) |
| Driving/Riding Without Insurance | ₹2,000 and/or 3-months prison, community service | ₹4,000 for subsequent offence |
| Driving Without Seat-Belt | ₹1,000 and/or community service |
| Speeding and Racing | ₹5,000 and/or 3-months prison, community service | ₹10,000 for subsequent violation and up to 1 year in prison, community service |
| Dangerous Driving/Riding and Jumping Red Light | ₹1,000- ₹5,000 and/or 6-months to 1 year in prison, licence seizure |
| Violating Road Regulations | ₹500- ₹1000 |
| Driving/Riding While on the Mobile (Handheld) | ₹5,000 |
| Driving/Riding Despite Disqualification | ₹10,000, and/or community service |
| Not Giving Way to Emergency Vehicles like Ambulances, Fire Engines, etc. | ₹10,000 and/or community service |
| Riding without Helmet (rider and pillion rider) | ₹1000, and or licence disqualification, community service for 3-months |
| Overloading Two-Wheelers | ₹2,000 and licence disqualification and/or 3-months of community service |
| Juvenile Offences | ₹25,000 with 3-years prison, cancellation of registration for 1-year, juvenile ineligible for licence until 25 years of age. |
| Overboarding Passengers | ₹200 for every extra passenger and/or community service. |
| Driving/Riding without Ticket | ₹500. |
| Offence Committed by Enforcing Authorities Such as Offering Bribes | Twice the penalty (varies according to traffic rules violated) |
| Unauthorized Use of Vehicles Without Licence | ₹1,000- ₹5,000. |
| Refusing to Share Information Under Orders of the Traffic Authority/Disobeying orders | ₹2,000. |
| Vehicles without Permit | ₹10,000 and/or up to 6-months prison, community service |
| Driving/Riding without Registration | ₹5,000 | ₹10,000 for subsequent offence |
Taking care of some small, simple things while driving can greatly enhance your safety and that of your loved ones, and it will help us achieve the “Zero Fatalities” target.
The Department of Transport, Government of NCT, is committed to a comprehensive, data-driven approach to road safety as part of Vision Zero with the aim to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads. We consider strong, evidence-based public education campaigns as a key strategy to raise awareness, and overtime change perceptions, attitudes and behaviours pertaining to the key risk factors of speeding, drink driving, lack of proper helmet use and lack of seat-belt use. Communication campaigns, when paired with enforcement of traffic laws, have been proven to save lives. A strong social media presence, in addition, can help form strong online communities to amplify messages and support this vision.
For more information on public campaigns please Visit Here
In the age of social media, the impact of visually appealing content can generate online conversations around change in risk behaviour through sustained dissemination of impactful data, emotional messages, and perils of irresponsible behaviour over roads.
As one of strategies to reach the ‘Vision Zero’, transport department, through its social media channels, is engaging and educating people on four risk factors - speeding, helmet wearing, seat-belt wearing and drink driving.
CHECK US OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA
#SadakSurakshitDilliSurakshit
#SadakSurakshitDilliSurakshit