Road accidents in India claim more lives than incidents of war, terrorism, and naxalism combined

• Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari’s statement!

• The drivers are often unfairly made scapegoats in the aftermath of road accidents – Claims Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari!

NEW DELHI – Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari stated at a program here that more people have died in road accidents than in India’s wars, as well as in terrorist and Naxal attacks.

Gadkari said:

1. In India, 5,00,000 accidents occur every year, resulting in 1,50,000 deaths and around 3,00,000 injuries. This has caused a 3 percent hit to the country’s Gross National Product (GDP).

2. The driver is often scapegoated for every accident. However, I observe closely that many of these accidents are due to mistakes in road engineering. All highways need to be inspected for safety.

3. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is creating rules for ambulances and their drivers, ensuring they are trained to use machinery like ‘cutters’ for the quick rescue of road accident victims.

Editorial Perspective

The lack of discipline in driving, adherence to road rules, and the failure to enforce these in citizens is the main reason for accidents. The successive governments, which have not enforced stricter regulations or implemented effective measures to educate and discipline drivers is the root cause.