Better roads, better vehicles, better protection and faster medical intervention bring down the number of deaths in road accidents.

That may be stating the obvious but the latest report of road accidents across the country (for 2006) challenges conventional wisdom. According to a report of the Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways — soon to be made public — contrary to the perception that expressways cause accidents, it’s rural areas that are more lethal.

The fact that upgraded vehicles, better roads, occupant protection and medical aid is still largely a preserve of urban pockets shows starkly: in 2006, rural areas reported 52.9% of the 4.6 lakh road accidents across the country, 60.2% of the 1.05 lakh deaths and 58% of 49.6 lakh injury cases.

Buses, trucks and tempos account for only 7.7% of total vehicles registered but are responsible for over 40% of all accident deaths.

Occupants of two-wheelers, passenger cars and pedestrians account for 21.9%, 15.1% and 12% of total road fatalities respectively. Bicycles and pedestrians are the most unprotected road users.

Half of all road traffic casualties are in the age group 25-65 years with a 54% share. In most cases, these accidents involving loss of the main earning member prove to be disastrous, says the report, “leading to lower living standards.” India last estimated the socio-economic cost of road accidents in 1999-2000 at 3% of its GDP. The report will be soon made public.

The good news is that although there has been a 62-fold increase in the number of registered vehicles since 1970, there has been a decline in the number of persons killed per 10,000 vehicles: down from 104 to just 12 in 2006.

... contd.