Road Traffic Safety in Hyderabad –

A wake up call?
Accidents Source: www.htp.gov.in
Accused Vehicle Source: www.htp.gov.in
Victim Vehicle Source: www.htp.gov.in
How Did We Get Here?

It is a combination of:
 Poor and badly maintained road infrastructure
 Unqualified & reckless drivers
 Decrepit vehicles
 Poorly trained officers and corruption and
 Lack of safety culture
 Current focus

 Research in several countries conclude that

human error is involved in over 90 percent of all
road accidents.
AS A RESULT

 Safety awareness programs predominantly focus

on drivers without proper attention to the other
contributing factors.
 Contributing factors for accidents
 Road User Factors: Inexperienced, young, and reckless
drivers, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs,
ignorance of traffic rules and regulations; and reluctance to
use safety devices such as safety belts and helmets.

 Vehicle factors: Worn tires, poor brakes, and non-functional

lights; overloading of public service vehicles and trucks; use
of unsuitable vehicles like pickups for transport of
passengers; and poor crash worthiness design.
Contributing factors for accidents - contd
 Road Factors: High or no speed limits and poor visual
guidance; poorly controlled intersections and uncontrolled
access; narrow roads, poor alignment standards, and poor
maintenance of pavement and shoulders; and steep ditches
and hard objects near the road.
Contributing factors for accidents - contd
 Traffic and Environmental Factors: Mix of motorized and
non-motorized vehicles and pedestrians; poor traffic
management and enforcement of the traffic code; darkness
and inclement weather conditions; and inadequate
emergency medical services.
Contributing factors for accidents - contd
 Economic pressure factors have also become more
important following the liberalization of road transport
services, as intense competition for passengers have
resulted in more speeding and reckless driving by drivers of
public service vehicles.
Inefficiencies in Remedial Activities
Absence of:

 Defined objectives & Goals

 Clear roles & Responsibilities
 Type & Intensity of activities
 Suitable financing instruments
 Efficient fund management
Way Forward
 Though many factors contribute to higher accident risks
and give a lead on where corrective actions may be
taken, any countermeasures need to be undertaken as a
part of a comprehensive program to be effective.

Preventive measures should focus on:

 Road Safety Audit

 Education & Awareness campaigns

 Design and Administration

 Way Forward
Road safety audit
 systematic checking of the safety aspects of new highway and

traffic management schemes

 Aim is to design out safety problems from the beginning and to

reduce future problems.

 Safety audits should be included during the design,
construction and maintenance phases of road projects.
 Way Forward
Road safety audit
 In India safety devices are included in the designs, but are

simply not constructed on the ground

 road maintenance is limited to fixing potholes and cleaning

drainage facilities, without replacing missing traffic signs,

guard-rails, road markings and other safety features essential
to create a safe road network.
Way Forward
Education & enforcement
Behavior has to be addressed if significant gains in safety are
to be achieved.

Education to focus on key factors such as:

 a basic understanding of the traffic system
 an ability to recognize and avoid danger
 exercising safe behavior
 better screening, training and testing of drivers
Way Forward
Teaching safety skills to children

 Reliance on individuals or organizations visiting schools to give

talks on road safety are not effective on their own.

 Sustainable development of positive attitudes towards road

safety are best achieved by inclusion in the core curriculum

 Ministry of Education must be an active stakeholder in this

regard
Way Forward

Awareness can be brought about by civic and institutional

involvement such as Dhruva College of Management’s
involvement in traffic safety awareness program (SAFE)

 Dhruva ensures that no student gets on the road without the

proper safety equipment and without understanding that the
road binds all in a common fate.
Way Forward
Design & Administration

 The traffic mix and road usage in India is very different from
that in developed countries
 Road crashes can be prevented by better planning and more
safety conscious design of the road network
 Systematic identification and treatment of hazardous locations
can improve road safety substantially
 Stress that a driving license is not a birth right but a
qualification
Way Forward
Design & Administration

 Screening, training and testing of drivers should make sure that

those licensed to operate motorized vehicles fulfill certain
minimum requirements with respect to physical and mental
capabilities and practical skills, in particular for operators of
public transport
Way Forward

 Knowledge and guidance alone is not enough

 Effective and visible traffic surveillance and enforcement are
essential for compliance with laws and regulations
 Proper training to traffic enforcement agencies
 Empowering the enforcement authorities to deal with errant
behavior and undue influence
 THANK YOU

Dr. S. Pratap Reddy

Chairman,
Dhruva College of Management
Hyderabad