National Road Safety Board

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Recently, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has notified constitution of the National Road Safety Board that will function as the leading road safety council of India.

Its establishment was first provisioned in the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act of 2019.
It will have an advisory role and will recommend measures for road safety to the central government.

The Head Office of the National Road Safety Board shall be in the National Capital Region and the Board may establish offices at other places in India.

It shall consist of the Chairman and not less than three, but not exceeding seven Members, to be appointed by the Central Government.

The Board shall be responsible for promoting road safety, innovation and adoption of new technology and for regulating traffic and motor vehicles.
It is aimed at integrating efforts in collaboration with states to reduce road accidents and improve all aspects of safety.

Formulation of
- specific standards for road safety, traffic management and road construction for hilly regions
- guidelines for capacity building and development of skills for traffic police,
- guidelines for establishing and operating trauma facilities and para-medical facilities.
Provide technical advice and assistance to the Central Government, State Governments and local authorities on road safety and traffic management;
Promote
- Good Samaritans;
- good practices in road safety and traffic management
- new vehicle technology in the field of vehicular engineering;
- co-ordination with international organizations; and
- consistency between international technical standards and domestic technical standards.

As per the Road Accident Report for 2019, around 4.5 lakh accidents took place in the country in 2019 leading to more than 5 lakh deaths and more than 4.5 lakh injuries.
National Highways which comprise of 2.03 percent of total road network, continued to account for a disproportionate share of 7 per cent of deaths in 2019.
Road safety continues to be a leading cause of death and injury across the world, killing more than 1.35 million globally as reported in the Global Status report on Road Safety 2018 with 90% of these casualties taking place in the developing countries and 11% alone being accounted for by India.
Road Accidents in India – NCRB Report 2020

Government has set the target of reducing road accident deaths by 50% by year 2024.
Motor Vehicle Amendment Act of 2019 was launched to deal with road safety comprehensively.
The Government has approved a National Road Safety Policy promote to awareness, establish road safety information data base, encourage safer road infrastructure, among others.
Steps are being taken to rectify the identified Black spots.
Road Safety Audits are being carried out at all stages of development of the highway.
Signed Brasilia Declaration and committed to promote road safety.
Recently, schemes are being launched to grant award to Good Samaritans.