Global Survey Places India at 49th, US at 51st
The recent Zutobi annual report has revealed a surprising shift in global road safety rankings, with India outperforming the United States. This comprehensive study, conducted by US-based driver training platform Zutobi, evaluated numerous safety metrics including speed limits, blood alcohol concentration regulations, and traffic death rates across nations.
India’s Road Safety Improvement
Recent years have seen significant advances in India’s road safety landscape. Under Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s leadership, several key initiatives have been implemented:
- Mandatory six airbags in passenger vehicles
- More stringent driving tests and licensing procedures
- Expansion of expressway networks and improved highway infrastructure
- Integration of advanced vehicle safety technologies
- Harsher penalties for traffic violations
These collective efforts have started to yield positive results, contributing to India’s improved position in global road safety rankings.
Global Road Safety Trends
The Zutobi report highlights encouraging global trends, with the average road traffic deaths per 100,000 people decreasing from 8.9 to 6.3. While speed limits and blood alcohol concentration regulations have remained largely unchanged worldwide, other factors like awareness campaigns and enforcement policies appear to be driving safety improvements.
Challenges Ahead
Despite climbing to 49th place, India continues to face significant road safety challenges. Issues like overspeeding, poor lane discipline, and non-compliance with safety regulations remain major concerns that require ongoing attention and policy intervention.
Safety Leaders and Laggards
Norway maintains its position as the world’s safest driving nation for the fourth consecutive year. In contrast, South Africa holds the last position (53rd) for the second year running, identified as the most dangerous country for driving according to the survey’s metrics.
