India Clinches Prestigious Global Recognition For Road Safety

India has achieved a significant milestone in its road safety initiatives, securing the coveted Prince Michael Decade of Action Road Safety Award for its remarkable improvements in vehicle safety standards over the past ten years. The Kingdom of Morocco was also honoured with the award at the conference.

The honour, widely regarded as the most prestigious in the field of road safety, was presented at the 4th Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Marrakech. Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Ajay Tamta, accepted the award from World Health Organisation representative Etienne Krug.

The recognition primarily stems from India's comprehensive overhaul of its vehicle safety framework, including the pioneering implementation of a new car safety assessment programme and the mandatory incorporation of anti-lock braking systems (ABS) in all new two-wheelers. 

The achievement follows India's ambitious 2018 initiative, when the transport ministry outlined plans to elevate vehicle safety standards to match European benchmarks by 2023. The catalyst for these reforms was the eye-opening independent crash test ratings of Indian vehicles conducted in 2014.

Despite these laudable advancements, India continues to face significant challenges in road safety. Unlike developed nations, a considerable proportion of road fatalities in India occur among pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. Recent statistics paint a sobering picture, with 173,000 lives lost on Indian roads in 2023.

The Marrakech conference, which drew transportation leaders from numerous nations, focused on establishing a strategic framework to halve global road fatalities by 2030, underscoring the international community's commitment to enhancing global road safety.