Lok Sabha / Nitin Gadkari's statement on road accidents, said- I try to hide my face

Lok Sabha: The rising incidence of road accidents in India has become a serious national problem. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari expressed deep concern over this and said that only improvement of infrastructure will not work to reduce accidents, but it is imperative to bring about a change in human behavior.

Road Safety: Challenge and Effort

Gadkari revealed that when he first took charge of the Road Transport Ministry, his target was to reduce road accidents by 50%. But this target has not been achieved yet. He said, "Forget about reduction in the number of accidents, I admit that there has been an increase in it."

According to him, about 1.78 lakh people lose their lives due to road accidents in India every year, out of which 60% of the victims are in the age group of 18-34 years. This figure is not only frightening but also points to the loss of young population.

Main causes of road accidents

Gadkari listed some of the major reasons behind road accidents, which include:

Undisciplined parking of trucks – Trucks parked wrongly on the roadside are a major cause of accidents.

Lack of lane discipline – Many drivers do not follow road rules, leading to accidents.

Ignorance of traffic laws – Not wearing helmets, not using seat belts, and drunk driving are common problems while driving.

State-wise analysis of road accidents

Uttar Pradesh leads the list of road accident deaths in India, recording over 23,000 fatalities. It is followed by Tamil Nadu with over 18,000 deaths, Maharashtra with over 15,000 deaths, and Madhya Pradesh with over 13,000 deaths.

Among cities, Delhi tops the list with over 1,400 deaths every year, while Bengaluru has the highest number of deaths at 915.

Gadkari's response at international conferences

Nitin Gadkari said that when he participates in discussions on road accidents at international conferences, "I try to hide my face." He has taken it as a personal responsibility to improve road safety in India.

Suggestions towards a solution

Gadkari suggested the following measures to reduce road accidents in India:

Change in human behaviour - People have to be encouraged to maintain discipline on the road and respect traffic laws.

Societal reforms - It is necessary to include traffic education in schools and spread awareness about road safety.

Strict adherence to the law - Imposing harsh penalties against those who break traffic rules.

Conclusion

To prevent road accidents in India, participation of the government, society and individuals is necessary. It is clear from Nitin Gadkari's words that only improving road infrastructure is not enough. Unless people follow traffic rules and adopt responsible behavior, it will be difficult to reduce accidents. The government will have to take strict steps in this direction, and the citizens will also have to understand their responsibility