Question : Road Accidents

(a) whether incidents of the road accidents are on the rise due to non-adherence of the traffic rules by the road users including drivers and if so, the details thereof indicating the number of fatalities in road accidents during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT- wise;

(b) whether the Government proposes to introduce any insurance cover/ compensation to next of kin of accident victims, if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to provide free/cashless treatment to the victims injured of road accidents, if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to make certain mandatory safety procedures during driving of the vehicles and if so, the details thereof ?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

(a) As per the report “Road Accidents in India 2016” prepared based on data furnished by the Police Departments of States and UTs, drivers’ fault is single most important factor responsible for road accidents (84%), killings (80.3%) and injuries (83.9%) on all roads in the country during 2016. The total number of road accidents, persons killed and injured in road accidents for the last three years are given below:

Years Total Number of Road Accidents Total Number of Persons killed
2014 4,89,400 1,39,671
2015 5,01,423 1,46,133
2016 4,80,652 1,50,785

The data for the year 2017 and 2018 is not yet published. State-wise details of the total number of road accidents and persons killed in road accidents for the last three years are given at Annexure I and II respectively.









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(b) The Motor Vehicles Act 1988 contains the provision of compensation.As per Section 165(1) of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, a State Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, constitute one or more Motor Accidents Claims Tribunals for such area as may be specified in the notification for the purpose of adjudicating upon claims for compensation in respect of accidents involving the death of, or bodily injury to, persons arising out of the use of motor vehicles, or damages to any property of the third party so arising, or both. Sub-section (2) of Section 165 empowers the State Government to appoint such number of members as the State Government may think fit to appoint. Sub-section (3) of Section 165 empowers State Government to regulate distribution of business if there are two or more Claims Tribunals for an area. Thus, the matter regarding disposal of cases by Motor Accident Claims Tribunals comes under the jurisdiction of State Governments.

(c) Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has inserted a provision in Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill, 2017 which inter-alia envisages the creation of a Motor Vehicle Accident Fund and implementation of Cashless Treatment Scheme during Golden Hour.

(d) The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has issued notification G.S.R. 1483 (E) dated 07.12.2017 vide which Motor vehicles of category M1, manufactured on and after the 1stday of July, 2019, are to comply with additional safety features like seat belt reminder, manual over-ride, speed alert system, vehicle reverse gear sensor etc. and its requirements as stipulated in Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 145- 2017 as amended from time to time.