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New Delhi, – Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, expressed deep concern over the rising number of road accidents involving two-wheelers, stating that 45% of such incidents across India are linked to these vehicles. Gadkari made these remarks while addressing the ‘Safety 2024’ conference, hosted by The George Institute for Global Health and co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO), in New Delhi on Wednesday.
“It is alarming that 45 per cent of accidents involve two-wheelers, and a significant number of deaths could have been prevented with proper helmet usage,” Gadkari emphasized, highlighting the need for immediate action to enhance road safety measures nationwide. He further stressed the government’s commitment to reducing road accidents and fatalities.
Beyond Infrastructure: Addressing Behavioral Change
The Minister outlined the need to shift focus from merely improving road infrastructure to tackling human behavior, especially among vulnerable groups like two-wheeler riders and pedestrians. He highlighted helmet compliance as a crucial area where increased awareness could prevent many fatalities. “Our efforts must extend beyond improving road infrastructure; we must focus on changing human behavior,” he said.
In an effort to unite both global and Indian civil society in the fight against road accidents, Gadkari launched the ‘Consensus Statement for Road Safety in India (Evidence-informed and Contextually Relevant 2025-2030)’ during the conference. This document aims to consolidate road safety strategies and encourage stakeholders to prioritize road safety at various levels, starting with young people.
Fostering a Culture of Safety Through Education
Gadkari underscored the critical role of early education in shaping future generations’ attitudes toward road safety. “We must prioritize education and awareness campaigns, starting from our schools, to instill a culture of road safety from a young age,” he said. He also called for greater collaboration between industries and the government, urging two-wheeler manufacturers to provide helmets with new vehicles to curb preventable deaths.
India’s Road Safety Crisis: Sobering Statistics
The conference provided a sobering reminder of the scale of India’s road safety crisis. According to the latest annual report, 2022 saw a staggering 4,61,312 road crashes, which resulted in 1,68,491 fatalities and left 4,43,366 people injured. On average, the nation experiences 1,264 crashes and 462 deaths each day — amounting to 53 crashes and 92 deaths every hour.
A Call for Collective Action
Gadkari concluded his speech by calling for a collective, multi-stakeholder approach to address the growing road safety issue. “It’s time for a collective effort — government, industry, and citizens alike — to address this issue head-on. By implementing strategic measures, creating safer road environments, and fostering respect for the law, we can significantly reduce the number of accidents and make our roads safer for everyone.”
With road safety being a matter of urgent national importance, the minister’s call to action comes at a critical time. As India continues to grapple with high road accident rates, the path forward will require collaboration, innovation, and a strong focus on behavioral change and education.
