Road traffic accidents in India: The neglected epidemic

Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) is increasingly being recognized as a growing public health problem in the world. Nevertheless, little attention has been paid by the social scientists, including demographers, and policy makers to mitigate the problem. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore the issue in detail to have a comprehensive understanding. The paper aims to assess various dimensions and magnitudes of RTA in India. At the same time, the study also explores the trends and patterns of RTA in India. The study uses data from the National Crime Record Bureau; Ministry of Home Affairs; and the Department of Road Transport and Highways, Govt. of India. The analysis shows that there is a persistent increase in the number of motor vehicle crashes, injuries and fatalities. RTA by the two wheelers is disproportionaly high and so are the fatalities. One of the most dangerous aspects of RTA is that it has been affecting the most productive young working population. Heavy vehicles accounts for about 35% of total deaths in India. Furthermore, with the growing rate of urbanization in India, and its expected increase in the decades to come, there is steep increase in RTA in the last two decades.