SRINAGAR: The Lok Sabha was informed that Jammu and Kashmir reported 9,070 fatalities in road accidents between 2013 and 2022. Responding to a question by MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways provided a detailed age-wise breakdown of fatalities from 2016 to 2022. During this period, road accidents claimed the lives of 784 individuals under 18 years, 1,668 in the 18 to 25-year age group, 3,290 aged 25 to 60 years, and 568 over 60 years.
The minister highlighted findings from the “Road Accident in India, 2022” report, which identified pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists as the most vulnerable road users, collectively accounting for a significant share of road traffic deaths. Road accidents were described as a multi-causal phenomenon arising from human error, road conditions, and vehicular issues.
In line with India’s commitment to the Stockholm Declaration on Road Safety, which aims to halve road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030, the government has implemented a multi-pronged strategy focused on Education, Engineering, Enforcement, and Emergency Care.
Under the Education pillar, initiatives include the Road Safety Advocacy Scheme, National Road Safety Week observances, and the establishment of driving training centres nationwide. Engineering measures encompass mandatory road safety audits for highways, rectification of accident black spots, and enhanced vehicle safety features such as airbags and anti-lock braking systems. Enforcement efforts include stricter penalties under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, and the deployment of electronic monitoring on high-risk routes. Emergency care improvements include enhanced compensation for hit-and-run victims, deployment of ambulances on highways, and pilot cashless treatment programs for accident victims.
These efforts reflect the government’s commitment to creating safer roads and reducing fatalities, particularly in regions like Jammu and Kashmir, where road safety remains a critical challenge.
