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Homechevron_rightIndiachevron_rightRoad accidents claim...

Road accidents claim 45 children's lives daily in India: study

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An average of 45 children lose their lives every day in road accidents in India.

Between 2011 and 2022, approximately 1.98 lakh children and adolescents died in road crashes, making road traffic injuries one of the leading causes of death in this age group.

The study, conducted by UNICEF and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) Bengaluru, has highlighted the alarming number of child fatalities caused by road accidents in India. It is based on data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

In 2022 alone, 16,443 children and adolescents died in road accidents, accounting for 10% of all road fatalities in India.

However, experts estimate that actual numbers may be 20% higher due to underreporting. Additionally, nearly five lakh children sustain non-fatal injuries in road crashes each year, with many requiring hospitalisation. Notably, deaths among teenagers aged 14–17 have more than doubled over the past decade.

Highways are particularly dangerous, responsible for 55-60% of all road fatalities. Around one-third of child pedestrian deaths occur at traffic intersections, underscoring the urgent need for safer pedestrian infrastructure.

The study identifies multiple factors contributing to these accidents, including human error, lax enforcement of traffic rules, poor road conditions, and inadequate vehicle safety standards.

Alarmingly, over half of the top 25 safety-rated cars in India have child occupant safety ratings of three stars or lower.

The report also highlights concerning statistics regarding road safety measures. The use of child restraint systems remains extremely low in Indian cities, ranging between just 2-6%. Helmet compliance among children and adolescents is equally poor, varying from 10-50% in urban areas and dropping to only 2-5% in rural regions. Despite existing laws mandating helmet and seatbelt use, lack of enforcement and public awareness continue to put young lives at risk.

To combat this crisis, experts in the report launched on February 3 proposed several key interventions.

These include stricter enforcement of traffic laws, improved emergency medical care, better-designed pedestrian zones, and increased safety assessments for vehicles.

The report also calls for dedicated funding for child road safety, mandatory road safety audits around schools, and the creation of designated “safe-school zones.” Expanding access to affordable public transportation for children and strengthening emergency response systems, particularly on highways, were also emphasised as critical measures.

Beyond prevention, the study stresses the importance of enhancing trauma care for injured children. Currently, only 20% of large government hospitals in India have pediatric ICU facilities, significantly reducing the survival chances of critically injured children. To address this gap, NIMHANS is working on establishing a Level-1 polytrauma center in North Bengaluru.

A major challenge in addressing this issue is the lack of coordination between government agencies, insufficient funding, and the absence of fully functional road safety boards.

Experts emphasise that improving child road safety requires a collaborative effort involving policymakers, urban planners, vehicle manufacturers, and healthcare providers.

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TAGS:Road Accidents in IndiaChildrens Deaths in IndiaRoad Safety in India
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