Article 3: Decline in Road Accidents on National Highways
Why in News: Data tabled by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) shows an over 11% decline in road accidents and fatalities on National Highways in 2025, led by states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Key Details
- Road accidents on National Highways fell from 1,50,958 (2024) to 1,34,307 (2025).
- Fatalities declined from 64,772 to 57,482, marking the first reduction in three years.
- Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Chhattisgarh and Telangana contributed the most to the decline.
- Data is based on the Electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) portal, a centralised accident data system.
Significance of National Highways in Road Safety
- Disproportionate Fatality Burden: National Highways constitute only about 2.3% of India’s total road network, yet account for over 36% of total road accident deaths, highlighting their critical safety importance.
- High-Speed and Mixed Traffic Risks: High vehicle speeds, heavy freight movement, and inadequate access control increase accident severity on NHs compared to urban roads.
- Economic and Strategic Importance: NHs support logistics, inter-state trade, and mobility, making safety improvements essential for both human security and economic growth.
- Global Context: India records the highest number of road accident fatalities globally, significantly higher than China and the United States, underscoring the urgency of reforms.
Key Trends in Road Accidents and Fatalities (2023–2025)
- Reversal of Rising Trend: After increases in fatalities in 2023 and 2024, 2025 marks a clear downward shift, indicating early success of policy interventions.
- State-Level Leadership: Uttar Pradesh recorded the largest absolute reduction, while Madhya Pradesh saw fatalities drop by nearly 38% in a single year.
- Uneven Performance Across States: While several states improved, others like Gujarat, Jharkhand, Delhi, and Uttarakhand reported rising accidents or deaths, showing regional disparities.
- Data-Driven Governance: The use of the eDAR portal has improved accuracy, real-time monitoring, and accountability in accident reporting.
Government’s Road Safety Strategy: The 4E Framework
- Education: Road safety awareness campaigns, school-level education, and driver training programmes aim to address behavioural causes such as overspeeding and drunk driving.
- Engineering (Roads): Identification and rectification of black spots, better signage, improved road geometry, and access-controlled highways reduce accident-prone conditions.
- Engineering (Vehicles): Mandatory safety features like ABS, airbags, crash norms (Bharat NCAP) enhance vehicle safety standards.
- Enforcement: Stricter penalties under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, along with e-challans and surveillance, deter traffic violations.
- Emergency Care: Initiatives such as Golden Hour treatment, trauma care centres, and Good Samaritan protections improve post-accident survival rates.
Role of Technology and Institutional Reforms
- Electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR): The portal integrates police, transport, health, and insurance data, enabling comprehensive accident analysis.
- Data-Based Policy Making: Granular accident data helps identify causes, locations, and patterns, allowing targeted interventions.
- Inter-Agency Coordination: Collaboration between MoRTH, state governments, police, and health departments strengthens implementation.
- Monitoring and Accountability: Regular reporting to Parliament enhances transparency and performance evaluation.
Persistent Challenges and Emerging Concerns
- Regional Disparities: Rising accidents in some states indicate uneven enforcement and infrastructure gaps.
- Urban-NH Interface Risks: Accidents increase where highways pass through densely populated areas without proper access control.
- Human Behaviour Factors: Overspeeding, non-use of helmets and seat belts, and fatigue remain major contributors.
- Infrastructure Stress: Rapid expansion of highways without proportional safety audits can create new risk zones.
Conclusion
The decline in road accidents on National Highways in 2025 is a positive but fragile achievement. Sustained progress requires uniform enforcement across states, expansion of technology-driven monitoring, and greater focus on human behaviour change. Strengthening emergency response systems, integrating road safety into urban planning, and institutionalising regular safety audits can help India move towards the goal of safe, sustainable, and inclusive mobility.
EXPECTED QUESTIONS FOR UPSC CSE
Prelims MCQ
Q. With reference to road safety in India, consider the following statements:
- National Highways account for less than 5% of India’s road network but over one-third of road fatalities.
- The eDAR portal is used for real-time reporting and analysis of road accidents.
- The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 reduced penalties for traffic violations.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: a