Minister Criticizes Public’s Disregard for Traffic Rules
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari took a pointed stance on India’s traffic safety culture, using humor to highlight a serious concern. During the HPCL Presents Times Drive Auto Summit & Awards 2025, Gadkari remarked that Indian citizens behave like “Olympic-level players” when navigating roads—jumping signals, crossing through moving traffic, and disregarding safety protocols.
Enforcement Challenges and Human Behavior
“There is also an enforcement problem related to human behavior. There’s no fear or respect for laws,” Gadkari stated frankly. He highlighted concerning behaviors including pedestrians dangerously crossing roads with children and drivers using phones while operating vehicles.
In response to these issues, Gadkari announced a new initiative requiring two helmets to be provided with every two-wheeler sold, addressing the alarming fact that 30,000 fatalities in 2024 resulted from riders not wearing helmets.
Alarming Road Accident Statistics
The minister expressed regret over his inability to significantly reduce road accidents despite a decade of efforts. “This is one sector for which I want to apologize for,” he admitted during the summit.
The statistics paint a grim picture:
- Approximately 180,000 people died in road accidents in 2024
- 66% of fatalities occurred in the 18-45 age group
- 10,000 children lost their lives in these accidents
New Safety Measures
To combat dangerous road-crossing behaviors, Gadkari suggested implementing taller dividers that people cannot jump over. He emphasized that road accidents have become a leading cause of death in India, surpassing fatalities from riots, violence, and even COVID-19.
The minister’s comments highlight the urgent need for both improved infrastructure and a transformation in public attitudes toward traffic safety regulations.
