The United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021-2030) has set an ambitious global target: a 50% reduction in road crash deaths and injuries, using 2019 as the baseline. While this goal represents an urgent call to action, the initial years of the decade faced unique challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The disruption caused by the pandemic significantly impacted global travel patterns and road crash data for 2020, 2021, and much of 2022, rendering meaningful comparisons difficult during this period.
As the world emerged from the pandemic, vehicle travel increased. By 2023 and 2024, the million vehicle-kilometres travelled globally likely exceeded 2019 levels, making these years a critical opportunity to evaluate progress against the baseline.
The Mixed Picture in India
India, where I’m based and I proudly call home, presents a sobering example of the complexities involved in improving road safety in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Nationally, the country witnessed a concerning 20% rise in road traffic deaths in 2024 compared to the 2019 baseline. However, within this national trend, there are encouraging regional success stories that provide valuable insights.
Himachal Pradesh: A Model for Success
Himachal Pradesh, a state in Northern India, has emerged as a standout performer in road safety. By 2024, the state had reduced road traffic deaths by an impressive 30% compared to the 2019 baseline. This achievement positions Himachal Pradesh as a leading example of how targeted, evidence-based interventions can yield tangible results.
TRL Software, has been deeply involved in Himachal Pradesh’s road safety journey. Starting with the implementation of TRL’s iMAAP Cloud Based Accident Analysis Software in 2016, the state has undertaken significant institutional changes. Collaboration among key stakeholders, including HPRIDCL (Himachal Pradesh Road and Infrastructure Development Corporation), Himachal Police, and the World Bank, has been instrumental. These efforts include:
- Developing evidence-based engineering and enforcement interventions.
- Developing a Safe Corridor Demonstration Project for demonstrating Safe System approach
- Extensive campaigns across the districts on Good Samaritan Law
- Piloting AI cameras-based enforcement technologies in districts recording high number of killed and serious injuries
- Developing an action plan utilising star ratings for national and major district roads (NH and MDR) through the iRAP methodology.
These initiatives have proven that a systematic, data-driven approach can overcome the inherent challenges of road safety improvements in LMICs.
Kerala: Promising Progress Amid Challenges
The southwestern coastal state of Indian Kerala has also made notable strides in reducing road traffic deaths, achieving a 16% reduction in 2024 compared to the 2019 baseline. However, the state faces ongoing challenges, as injuries from road crashes have risen. This is perhaps due to potential fatalities getting converted to injuries due to increased compliance to wearing of helmets and seat belts, but more data is required to substantiate this aspect. TRL has been involved in Kerala, supporting the Safe Corridor Demonstration Programme, which highlights the importance of piloting innovative solutions to identify effective strategies. The initiatives undertaken by the Kerala Government to further reduce crashes and casualties will be closely watched, as they hold valuable lessons for other regions.
The Broader Context: Lessons for LMICs
Improving road safety in LMICs is inherently complex, involving diverse factors such as infrastructure quality, enforcement capabilities, and public awareness. Himachal Pradesh and Kerala provide important case studies on what works and what doesn’t, offering transferable insights for other states and countries. On both these regions and many LMICs, operating speeds not safer for the road users and the road environment still is a significant problem to overcome.
Together, we can work towards safer roads for everyone. To find out more about the work TRL has undertaken to make roads safer in Himachal Pradesh read our case study by clicking iMAAP in Himachal Pradesh: Software that is saving lives (Case Study) – TRL Software, and drop me a line at tmathew@trl.co.uk to find out how you can take advantage of iMAAP to make your roads safer, a software that to date has saved over 25,000 lives across the globe.
