Citation

Sharma A, Dua L. Indian Highw. 2000; 28(7): 15-22.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Indian Roads Congress)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

Traffic conditions in India are different from those usual in other developing countries, so that solutions to safety problems will have to be designed in relation to the nature of Indian traffic and climatic conditions. Indian road traffic is often a mix of fast motor vehicles and slow animal-drawn vehicles. Commercial vehicles usually travel at night and are often overloaded. There is lack of traffic education, apathy and contempt for road discipline, and very lax enforcement of traffic laws. The work of the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) has shown clearly that mismatches in interactions between vehicles, road users, and the road environment can lead to accidents. Specific causes of accidents include: (1) median kerb stones in dual carriageways and poor visibility of kerb stones; (2) staged road construction; (3) lack of maintenance of road signs; (4) driver errors; (5) plantation of trees in rights of way; (6) depressed side shoulders; (7) contractor errors; (8) bridge railings; (9) poor drainage; and (10) haphazard crossing of roads by pedestrians and cattle. This article makes 20 recommendations for improving road safety, including three types of road design improvements, black spot identification and improvement, traffic barriers, road safety audit, advanced warning systems, road patrolling, training in first aid, uniform geometric design, and roadside amenities.