Citation

Rajan I. Indian Highw. 2006; 34(3): 5-10.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Indian Roads Congress)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

India has 1% of the world's motor vehicle population, but nearly 6% of reported total road traffic accidents. One-third of fatalities occur on National Highways and one-third on State Highways. Statistics show that 67.2% of road fatalities occur in the seven major cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Kanpur, Hyderabad and Bangalore with 30% of road fatalities due to delayed medical admission of accident victims. These figures could be reduced if the crucial period between the accident and hospital admission were more effectively managed. Most road accidents are attributable to drivers' fault. Predictions are made on road traffic accidents/fatalities in India for the years 2005-2020. The reasons for the loss of the crucial period of the accident victims were identified as helplessness of the neighbours/public and delays in transportation of accident victims to the hospitals. This could be improved by the following measures: effective traffic management at intersections; use of wireless communication; information to blood banks, workplace, relatives; preparation of medical equipment; coordination between hospitals and ambulance providers; and use of helicopters. It was concluded that road safety policy should be included in the public health policy in India.