As India prepares for the crucial Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Road Safety Network (RSN) has issued an urgent call for comprehensive reforms to strengthen the nation’s road safety infrastructure. The organization is demanding immediate parliamentary action across four critical areas: enhanced child protection measures, improved speed regulation systems, implementation of robust State Road Safety Action Plans, and strategic amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act.
The Alarming State of Road Safety in India
Despite the progressive 2019 Motor Vehicles Act and subsequent state-level reforms, India’s road safety crisis continues to claim devastating casualties. The country witnesses over 1.68 lakh road accident fatalities annually, representing one of the world’s highest road death rates. More disturbingly, children account for nearly 10% of these fatalities, with approximately 1.98 lakh child deaths recorded between 2011 and 2022.
These statistics underscore the urgent need for comprehensive road safety reforms that address systemic gaps in current legislation and enforcement mechanisms. The RSN emphasizes that Parliament must elevate road safety from a peripheral concern to a national priority requiring sustained legislative attention and resource allocation.
Child Safety: The Most Vulnerable Road Users
The protection of children on Indian roads represents a critical area requiring immediate intervention. RSN advocates for amending Section 2(11) of the Motor Vehicles Act to bring informal school transport vehicles, including vans and auto-rickshaws, under regulatory oversight. This amendment would ensure mandatory registration and safety compliance for vehicles commonly used for school transportation.
With approximately 60% of Indian children walking to school daily, the establishment of Safe School Zones has become an urgent necessity. These designated areas would implement reduced speed limits, enhanced signage, and improved infrastructure to protect young pedestrians during their daily commutes.
“Children deserve a safe journey to school. Recognising informal school transport under the law is the first step toward protecting their daily commute,” emphasized Ranjit Gadgil, Programme Director at Parisar, during RSN’s educational podcast series ‘Brake the Norm’.
Speed Regulation: Addressing India’s Leading Killer
Speeding remains the primary cause of road fatalities in India, accounting for 72% of the country’s 1.19 lakh road deaths in 2022. The current regulatory framework under Section 112 of the Motor Vehicles Act establishes broad speed limits but fails to account for local traffic conditions and road infrastructure variations.
Scientific Speed Management Approach
The RSN advocates for implementing a scientific, localized speed zoning approach that considers specific area characteristics. This methodology would establish differentiated speed limits for:
- School zones with reduced limits during peak hours
- Market areas with heavy pedestrian traffic
- Residential neighborhoods requiring enhanced safety measures
- Commercial districts with mixed vehicle types
West Bengal’s zone-wise speed regulations serve as an exemplary model for national adoption, demonstrating how localized approaches can significantly improve road safety outcomes. Professor Bhargab Maitra of IIT Kharagpur, an RSN partner, states: “Scientific speed management is essential for creating safer road environments that protect all users.”
State Road Safety Action Plans: Standardizing Urban Safety
The implementation of robust State Road Safety Action Plans represents another crucial reform area. These comprehensive frameworks would standardize urban safety measures across Indian cities, ensuring consistent protection for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users.
Current urban planning initiatives lag significantly behind highway development standards established by the 2019 Motor Vehicles Act. The RSN calls for aligning state-level safety measures with Indian Roads Congress standards to create uniform protection protocols nationwide.
Enforcement Challenges and Solutions
Enforcement gaps particularly affect two-wheeler and three-wheeler safety, representing significant portions of India’s vehicle population. The RSN urges strengthening penalties under Section 183 to effectively curb risky driving behaviors and improve compliance rates.
“Laws must reflect the needs of vulnerable road users,” stated Ashim Sanyal, COO of Consumer VOICE, highlighting the necessity of user-centric legislative approaches.
Real-World Impact: Delhi’s Road Safety Statistics
Recent data from Delhi illustrates both progress and persistent challenges in urban road safety. The capital recorded 517 road deaths from January to May 2025, representing a 13.4% decrease compared to the previous year. However, these figures still highlight concerning levels of pedestrian and two-wheeler fatalities attributed to inadequate infrastructure and insufficient speed enforcement.
These statistics demonstrate that while improvements are possible, systematic reforms remain essential for achieving substantial safety gains across Indian cities.
National Road Safety Month: A Call for Action
As National Road Safety Month progresses, the RSN’s advocacy for comprehensive policy reforms takes on added significance. The organization’s four-point agenda represents a roadmap for creating safer transportation environments that protect all road users, particularly the most vulnerable populations.
The Path Forward
Successful implementation of these reforms requires coordinated action between:
- Parliamentary legislators drafting comprehensive amendments
- State governments implementing localized safety measures
- Urban planners designing safer infrastructure
- Enforcement agencies ensuring compliance with safety regulations
- Educational institutions promoting road safety awareness
Conclusion: Making Road Safety a National Priority
The Road Safety Network’s call for urgent parliamentary action reflects the critical need for comprehensive reforms in India’s road safety framework. With over 1.68 lakh annual fatalities and disproportionate child casualties, the time for incremental changes has passed.
Parliament’s upcoming Monsoon Session presents a crucial opportunity to implement life-saving reforms that will protect millions of Indian road users. The proposed amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act, combined with scientific speed management and robust state action plans, offer a pathway toward significantly reducing road accident casualties nationwide.
As India continues its rapid urbanization and motorization, ensuring road safety must remain a fundamental governmental responsibility, requiring sustained commitment and comprehensive legislative action.
