Nitin Gadkari Acknowledges Rising Road Accidents, Calls for Change in Human Behavior

New Delhi, 12th December 2024: On Thursday, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, acknowledged the rising number of road accidents in India, stressing that a change in human behaviour is essential for improvement.

He highlighted that, when he first assumed office, his goal was to reduce road accidents by 50%. However, Gadkari admitted that the situation has worsened. “Rather than reducing accidents, I must admit they have increased,” he said. “At international conferences on road accidents, I often feel embarrassed to represent our country.”

During the Question Hour, Gadkari emphasized the need for a shift in societal attitudes and greater respect for the rule of law to address the issue. He stated that road accidents claim about 1.78 lakh lives annually, with 60% of the victims aged 18 to 34.

Gadkari cited Uttar Pradesh, where over 23,000 people (13.7% of the national total) die in road accidents, followed by Tamil Nadu with over 18,000 (10.6%) deaths. Maharashtra accounts for more than 15,000 deaths (9%), and Madhya Pradesh over 13,000 (8%).

In urban areas, Delhi tops the list with more than 1,400 fatalities each year, followed by Bengaluru with 915. Gadkari also noted that truck parking on roads and lack of lane discipline contribute significantly to accidents. He has instructed that bus bodies in India comply with international safety standards, including having a hammer near windows for emergencies.

Reflecting on his personal experience, Gadkari recalled a serious accident involving his family several years ago, which resulted in a prolonged hospital stay. “By God’s grace, we survived, which has given me a personal understanding of accidents,” he shared in the Lok Sabha.