In a bold initiative, Union Minister of Transport Nitin Gadkari has set a target to reduce road accident deaths and cases by 50% by the year 2030. This ambitious goal was declared at the launch of the report titled "Road Safety Good Practices in India," prepared by the SaveLIFE Foundation in association with the World Bank Group and Union Ministry of Transport.

Expressing concern over the persistent rise in road accidents and fatalities despite various measures being taken, Gadkari referred to data from the Road and Transport Ministry. In 2022, India witnessed a staggering 1,68,491 fatalities and 4,43,366 injuries in 4,61,312 road crashes. On average, this translates to approximately 1,263 road crashes and 461 deaths registered daily, or an alarming 53 crashes and 19 deaths every hour.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Gadkari emphasized that road accidents has increased by 12%, and road accident deaths had risen by 10%. Shockingly, 16% of these deaths occurred among individuals aged between 18 and 35 years.

Gadkari underscored the need for a comprehensive awareness campaign to address this critical issue, stating that the required efforts had not been adequately undertaken. Recognizing the emotional toll on those who have lost loved ones in road accidents, he called for a serious introspection into the matter.

Providing insights into the data, Gadkari revealed that 36% of road accident deaths occurred on national highways. He declared that the government has accorded top priority to addressing this issue and has committed to reducing both accidents and deaths by 50% by the year 2030.