Indian highways constitute of 2 per cent of the total road network and transport nearly 25 per cent of vehicles and goods and contribute to 30-40 per cent of road deaths. The spatial distribution of highways is unique as they traverse through villages, towns and districts across the total network. Crashes occurring on these roads are different due to traffic mix of heavy vehicles with smaller vehicles along with vulnerable road users (VRUs), varying speeds and presence of other risk behaviours and exposures. Among those killed and injured, pedestrians - motorized two-wheeler users - bicyclists and passengers of heavy vehicles constitute larger numbers. The outcome is also poor in highway crashes as impact of heavy vehicles with VRUs result in higher extent of body injuries and greater number of deaths. The interaction of human - vehicle factors in these complex road environments has not been understood in totality to formulate effective safety programmes. Highway safety issues deserve a separate place in formulation of national road safety policy and programme. Specific areas requiring intervention are design and operation of roads, crashworthiness of vehicles, control of speed, drink driving and driver fatigue, provision for VRUs and slow traffic, strengthening of trauma care systems and traffic calming mechanisms. Undoubtedly, there is need to move from pessimistic thinking to promotion of more passive countermeasures to save lives on highways (A). For the covering abstract of the conference see E217780.
Abstract