Nitin Gadkari Expresses Embarrassment at International Meetings Due to High Road Accident Rates
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New Delhi, Dec 12 (NationPress) Without a social transformation and enhancements in driver conduct, it is challenging to diminish the rate of road accidents in the nation, stated Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday. He expressed that he is compelled to “hide his face” during global conferences because of the country's dismal record concerning road fatalities.
In response to a query regarding road safety in Lok Sabha, Nitin Gadkari noted that the annual road accident death toll stands at 1.78 lakh, warning that road users must adhere to the law and that a significant shift in human behavior is essential to preserve lives on the roads.
In a frank acknowledgment, the Minister shared his aspiration to halve the number of accidents when he assumed his ministerial role but regrettably admitted that, despite earnest attempts, the accident figures have escalated over the years.
“I attempt to conceal my identity when I participate in international discussions concerning road accidents,” he remarked, alluding to the nation’s inadequate statistics on fatal accidents.
According to the Minister, 60 percent of road accident victims fall within the age bracket of 18-34 years. He indicated that Uttar Pradesh ranks first among states with 23,000 road accident fatalities, closely followed by Tamil Nadu with over 18,000 deaths.
Delhi emerges as the city with the highest fatalities, recording over 1,400 deaths, followed by Bengaluru with 915 deaths, he stated.
The total fatalities from road accidents between the years 2013 to 2022 amounted to 15.02 lakh, he added, pinpointing the chaotic parking of trucks on roads as a significant contributor to accidents.
He explained that the Central Government produces an annual report titled “Road Accidents in India”, and according to the 2022 edition, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists represent the most at-risk groups, making up a substantial percentage of road traffic fatalities.
In his response, the Minister stated that road accidents are multifaceted incidents caused by a combination of various factors. These can generally be divided into human error, road conditions/environment, and vehicle conditions.
According to the Stockholm Declaration on Road Safety, India is dedicated to halving the number of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. The declaration underlines the necessity of a comprehensive approach to road safety, which includes improving road and vehicle designs, strengthening laws and enforcement, and delivering timely and life-saving emergency assistance for the injured.
