Reframing Road Safety as a Driver of Economic Growth: A Conceptual Analysis of Policy Transformation in Gandhinagar

India needs shift in thinking to improve road safety

Road accidents are a major public health concern in Bangladesh, causing significant harm to individuals and society as a whole. Despite various initiatives taken by the government, the number of road accidents continues to increase, highlighting the need for a legal approach to address this issue. This study aims to analyze the current legal framework in Bangladesh with regards to road safety and identify potential areas for improvement. The study found that the current legal framework in Bangladesh contains several provisions aimed at promoting road safety, including the Bangladesh Road Transport Act, the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation Act, and the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority Act. However, these laws lack effective enforcement mechanisms, and there is limited accountability for those who violate traffic rules. This has led to widespread flouting of traffic regulations and a high incidence of road accidents. The study recommends the introduction of stricter penalties for those who violate traffic rules, including fines and imprisonment. It also suggests the establishment of an independent road safety commission to monitor compliance with traffic rules and to ensure effective implementation of road safety measures. The commission should have the authority to investigate road accidents and to take appropriate action against those found responsible. Additionally, the study recommends the introduction of mandatory training programs for all drivers and the provision of better infrastructure and technology to support road safety. This may include the installation of traffic lights and speed cameras, as well as the use of innovative technologies such as GPS-based monitoring systems. n conclusion, a legal approach is crucial in addressing the problem of road accidents in Bangladesh. By introducing stricter penalties, establishing an independent road safety commission, and investing in road safety infrastructure and technology, the government can help to reduce the number of road accidents and save lives. Further research is needed to understand the impact of these measures and to identify additional ways to promote road safety in Bangladesh. Keywords: Safety, Transport, Traffic, Accident, Punishment DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/132-05 Publication date: May 31 st 2023

Road accidents are a major public health concern in Bangladesh, causing significant harm to individuals and society as a whole. Despite various initiatives taken by the government, the number of road accidents continues to increase, highlighting the need for a legal approach to address this issue. This study aims to analyze the current legal framework in Bangladesh with regards to road safety and identify potential areas for improvement. The study found that the current legal framework in Bangladesh contains several provisions aimed at promoting road safety, including the Bangladesh Road Transport Act, the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation Act, and the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority Act. However, these laws lack effective enforcement mechanisms, and there is limited accountability for those who violate traffic rules. This has led to widespread flouting of traffic regulations and a high incidence of road accidents. The study recommends the introduction of stricter penalties for those who violate traffic rules, including fines and imprisonment. It also suggests the establishment of an independent road safety commission to monitor compliance with traffic rules and to ensure effective implementation of road safety measures. The commission should have the authority to investigate road accidents and to take appropriate actions against those found responsible persons. Additionally, the study recommends the introduction of mandatory training programs for all drivers and the provision of better infrastructure and technology to support road safety. This may include the installation of traffic lights and speed cameras, as well as the use of innovative technologies such as GPS-based monitoring systems. In conclusion, a legal approach is crucial in addressing the problem of road accidents in Bangladesh. By introducing stricter penalties, establishing an independent road safety commission, and investing in road safety infrastructure and technology, the government can help to reduce the number of road accidents and save lives. Further research is needed to understand the impact of these measures and to identify additional ways to promote road safety in Bangladesh.

Road accidents are a major public health concern in Bangladesh, causing significant harm to individuals and society as a whole. Despite various initiatives taken by the government, the number of road accidents continues to increase, highlighting the need for a legal approach to address this issue. This study aims to analyze the current legal framework in Bangladesh with regards to road safety and identify potential areas for improvement. The study found that the current legal framework in Bangladesh contains several provisions aimed at promoting road safety, including the Bangladesh Road Transport Act, the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation Act, and the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority Act. However, these laws lack effective enforcement mechanisms, and there is limited accountability for those who violate traffic rules. This has led to widespread flouting of traffic regulations and a high incidence of road accidents. The study recommends the introduction of stricter penalties for those who violate traffic rules, including fines and imprisonment. It also suggests the establishment of an independent road safety commission to monitor compliance with traffic rules and to ensure effective implementation of road safety measures. The commission should have the authority to investigate road accidents and to take appropriate actions against those found responsible persons. Additionally, the study recommends the introduction of mandatory training programs for all drivers and the provision of better infrastructure and technology to support road safety. This may include the installation of traffic lights and speed cameras, as well as the use of innovative technologies such as GPS-based monitoring systems. In conclusion, a legal approach is crucial in addressing the problem of road accidents in Bangladesh. By introducing stricter penalties, establishing an independent road safety commission, and investing in road safety infrastructure and technology, the government can help to reduce the number of road accidents and save lives. Further research is needed to understand the impact of these measures and to identify additional ways to promote road safety in Bangladesh.

The aim of the study was to understand traffic law enforcement (TLE) carried out by the police to reduce non-compliance with traffic laws on the roads of Hyderabad city in India for 2001 – 2003. The Traffic Police database of citations issued to drivers who violated traffic laws in Hyderabad was analysed for the years 2001 – 2003 to describe the TLE activities of the police, to describe and compare the TLE activities for the different types of vehicles and to compare the TLE activities for the 3 years. The violations were classified in five categories – those related to driving, parking, vehicle, document and others; and TLE into safety and other TLE. A total of 646 161 traffic-law violations were registered in 2001, 904 447 in 2002 and 964 275 in 2003 for Hyderabad. Driving and parking violations were the most common violations registered in all 3 years, with parking violations slightly higher in 2001 (43.5%) and driving violations slightly higher in 2002 (35%) and 2003 (36.4%). Auto-rickshaws (three-wheel commercial passenger vehicles) accounted for the highest violations registered in 2001 (41.4%) whereas motorized two-wheelers had the highest registered violations in 2002 (35.5%) and 2003 (33.2%). Safety TLE activity (detecting and registering driving violations) was only one-third of all the TLE activity performed by the police in the 3 years, and disobeying traffic signals was the most common violation registered under safety TLE. Indian rupees 50 (US$1.1) were collected by way of a fine in 87% of the cases registered. Age and gender of the violators were not recorded in the database. These data can be used for planning, monitoring and evaluating TLE in Hyderabad. These can help identify traffic control and human factors that could lead to traffic non-compliance, and help identify priorities for improving road safety. These data indicate a need to enhance the safety TLE activity of the police, to make TLE more visible in Hyderabad, and to assess the effectiveness of the current legal action as deterrence to improve road safety. Recommendations to enhance TLE within the given resources of the police are made. More effort is needed towards systematic collection and analysis of data on TLE in India to facilitate long-term improvements in TLE for safer roads.

Although the occurrence of road accidents and the number of road accident casualties in almost all Polish voivodeships has decreased over the last few years, the rate of this change varies considerably from region to region. To provide a better understanding of such a tendency, panel data regression models are proposed to conduct this pilot research which evaluates the relative performance of Polish regions in terms of their road traffic safety. Panel data are multi-dimensional data which involve measurements over time. In the research, a voivodeship is a unit analysed at a group level, whereas a year is a unit analysed at a time level. A two-way error component regression model has been applied to survey the impact of regressors, the group effects, and time effects on a dependent variable. The analysis has been conducted using data acquired from the Statistics Poland Local Data Bank website, as well as from the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways. The panel data from 16 regions in Poland and the 2012–2018 period have been investigated. The examined models refer to road traffic safety indices defined based on the following characteristics: the number of road accidents, the number road fatalities, and the number of people injured. The results of all the three models indicate a negative effect as regards the GDP per capita, (car) motorisation rate, the indicator of government expenditure for current maintenance of national roads, and the road length per capita. A positive association has been found between the truck motorisation rate and the indicator of local government expenditure on roads. The impact of the region's urbanisation indicators on road safety is ambiguous as, on the one hand, its increase causes a reduction in the road accident and accident injury indices, but, on the other hand, it produces a rise in the accident fatality index. In the models, the significance of time effects has been identified; a decreasing time trend suggests a general improvement in road safety from year to year. Most of the group effects have turned out to be highly significant. However, the effects differ as regards both the road accident and the accident injury indices in magnitude and direction.

Since 2003, the Chinese government has taken a series of targeted policies and measures to suppress road accidents. In the case of the rapid economic development, rapidly growing motor vehicle amount, and changes greatly in road safety environment, China successfully achieved the objectives that road accidents from the peak to be suppressed, until to the decline year-by-year. The situation of road safety in China has been improved every year. The development of road accidents in China is reviewed, and the main challenges and the opportunities are analyzed in the paper. The challenges include: road accidents rebound pressure is increasing, the road safety awareness of road users is still weak, safety risk factors are still outstanding, road safety management system and mechanism are still flawed, and road accidents emergency treatment and ambulance are still weak. The opportunities include: road safety has drawn the unprecedented attention, the overall environment of road safety is rapidly improving, and the road safety research is rapidly carried out. The opportunities make it possible that further improving road safety in China.

Vehicular accidents remain a major cause of fatalities and serious injuries worldwide, affecting both developed and developing nations. According to the World Health Organization (2024), annual road traffic fatalities have slightly declined to 1.19 million. Despite this reduction, road crashes remain the leading cause of death for children and young adults, with over 3,200 fatalities occurring daily. A significant proportion of child fatalities are linked to high-risk road use behaviors, exhibited either as pedestrians or vehicle occupants. This global issue is also evident in Sri Lanka, where, according to the Sri Lanka Police (2024), 24,589 road accidents were recorded, resulting in an average of six fatalities per day. Notably, 80% of these fatalities involved vulnerable road users. Among these, approximately 838 pedestrian fatalities were reported, averaging two deaths per day. In total, 2,368 accidents resulted in fatalities, with many more causing severe and often lifelong injuries. These statistics highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to mitigate high-risk behaviors and improve road safety. “Age” has been identified as a significant factor influencing road accident involvement, underscoring the importance of early education in promoting road safety in Sri Lanka. One of the most effective strategies to address this issue is the implementation of a school-based road safety education program, which fosters safer behaviors among young drivers and vulnerable road users. This study focuses on secondary school students (ages 14–16), a key demographic for early intervention. Data samples will be collected from selected schools within the Colombo District to assess the impact of the educational initiative. The study aims to evaluate students' existing knowledge and attitudes toward road safety, introduce an interactive road safety education module, and assess its effectiveness using pre- and post-assessments. A preliminary literature review was conducted, followed by structured interviews with three road safety professionals and three educational experts/psychologists. The interviews, conducted in a semi-structured format using questionnaires, allowed for in-depth discussions on key road safety challenges, educational gaps, and potential interventions. Responses were analyzed using thematic analysis and the Relative Importance Index (RII) method to identify key themes and priorities. Based on these findings, a web-based road safety education (RSE) module was developed, focusing on the following key areas: Introduction to Road Safety, Knowledge of Traffic Rules & Symbols, Safe Driving & Passenger Habits, and Emergency Response Skills As part of the pilot study, the module was distributed to 50 students, and feedback was collected to refine and optimize the content before commencing the full-scale study. Six schools in the Colombo District were selected based on willingness to participate and student population size, ensuring a diverse representation of students with varying exposure to road safety risks. Students from three schools were designated as the “Control Group,” and students from the remaining schools as the “Treatment Group.” Both groups were initially granted access to the module, and responses were recorded through a pre-assessment survey. After this phase, only the Treatment Group retained full access, allowing them to engage with interactive content and activities over the designated period. The Control Group had no further access beyond the initial assessment, ensuring a comparative analysis of knowledge retention and behavioral changes. After one month, a final questionnaire was administered via the web module, allowing participation from both groups to assess the impact of the intervention. Participants' responses were analyzed using statistical methods such as mean, median, and standard deviation, enabling a comprehensive interpretation of the findings. The outcomes of this research are expected to provide valuable insights for educational and road safety authorities in Sri Lanka, contributing to potential enhancements in the secondary school curriculum to improve road safety education.

Road safety is a global issue that affects all countries because it is linked to the road management or operation as a whole. Roads are essential for transit and movement, whether driving, riding, walking, or using a bus. One of the most critical considerations for road users is road safety. This study aims to analyze the road intersection impact with roads accident by using GIS. Specifically, it investigated whether the perceived correlation between road intersection safety has an impact on the road accident. In this context, road intersection safety is translated based on parameters or factors that occur to be in an intersection area which are the road intersection geometry, traffic volume and waiting time at the traffic lights. The relationship was analysed by using correlation and ordinary least square regression. The results showed a positive correlation between two of the road intersection safety factors: higher traffic volume and longer traffic waiting time were associated with higher number of accident cases. These results show how the situations of Section 7, Shah Alam Road intersection in relation of road accidents. Traffic Light Waiting Time has the highest correlation with a value of 0.65131 while Road Geometry has the lowest with a value of 0.0031. On this basis, the concept of road intersection traffic safety and device timing can be considered in implementation of road intersection safety.

BackgroundIn British Columbia (BC), there are approximately 430 deaths, 6500 hospitalizations and 79,000 injuries due to motor vehicle crashes each year. Direct and indirect costs of transport-related injury was estimated...

Road safety audit is defined as a formal safety performance examination of an existing or future road or intersection by an independent, multidisciplinary team. It qualitatively estimates and reports on potential road safety issues and identifies various measures for improving safety for all road users. The current scenario of urban road accidents in our country show that urban safety is in a critical state, emphasizing the need for a current urban road safety audit. This article examines the various factors that influence safety on urban road accidents, including human, vehicle, road, external environment, and other factors, and summarizes the implications and steps taken for an urban road traffic safety audit. This article explores the current state of road safety in Bengaluru, examining the various factors that contribute to accidents and identifying potential solutions to improve safety in the city's roads. Through an analysis of existing research and data, this article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities for improving road safety in Bengaluru, with the goal of reducing the number of accidents and saving lives. The selected area is from Uttarahalli Circle to Srinivaspura Road in Kengeri, a 7-kilometer stretch on Dr Vishnuvardhan Road, as it is a busy road connecting industrial, commercial, and educational areas and has mixed and heterogeneous traffic, leading to accidents. The audit has been conducted using the following guidelines of IRC SP: 88. Measures of road signs, markings, message signs, delineators, hazard markers, and traffic safety barriers have been done based on the requirements. In conclusion, significant measures need to be taken to improve roads safety and have them listed accordingly.

The article presents the results of the development of an integral indicator of road safety - the road safety coefficient. The value of the road safety coefficient shows how many times, at the same levels of motorization, the risk of death of a resident in road traffic (social risk) decreased/increased in comparison with the average social risk that existed in the world in the 40s of the last century, when there were no special programs on improving road safety. The use of the road safety coefficient allows you to compare the level of road safety in countries and regions with different populations and different levels of motorization. It is shown that social risk is a complex indicator, the value of which depends on the indicators of road safety at a lower level - the probability of participation of a resident in road traffic, which is equal to the value of motorization, the probability of death of a road user (transport risk), the probability of a road accident (active road safety), the intensity of road accidents (reliability of driving) and the average annual mileage of the car, the probability of death in a road accident (passive and post-accident safety). An equation is obtained that relates the value of social risk to the values of lower-level road safety indicators. The analysis of the level of road safety in Kyrgyzstan is carried out. It is shown how the condition of the traffic flow affects its average speed and the probability of road accidents. The influence of traffic flow density on its average speed and intensity of road accidents is considered. To assess the impact of the condition of a traffic flow on its average speed and road safety, the concept of the conventional density of a traffic flow is used. It is revealed that in the road conditions of Kyrgyzstan there is a critical conventional density, when exceeding it the transport risk, the probability of a road accident and the probability of death in a road accident begin to decrease rapidly with a further increase in the conventional density. The low efficiency of detection of exceeding a permitted speed when measuring the maximum speed of cars at certain points is shown. It is proposed to use the measurement of average speed on certain road sections as a means of reducing the number of drivers exceeding the speed limit.

This research paper examines the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in road network inventory and network-wide road safety assessment. An overview of current research related to this field is presented and various aspects of the use of AI in road infrastructure and safety assessment are analysed. In today’s world, where the road network continues to develop and grow, the use of AI can offer significant advantages in the inventory and assessment of road infrastructure and safety. AI can be used to process large volumes of data collected from various sources such as geographic data, photos, documentation and more. One of the main aspects that the article looks at is the use of AI to automatically process data and create a digital inventory of the road network. AI systems can analyse geographic data and photos to identify and classify roads, road signs, markings, and other elements of road infrastructure. This can facilitate engineers and competent authorities in the process of road inventory and maintenance. Another important aspect discussed in the paper is the use of AI for the general assessment of road safety. AI models can analyse road infrastructure inventory data, as well as traffic data, crashes, and other factors, to provide a comprehensive assessment of road network safety. This allows the competent authorities to identify vulnerable places, carry out preventive measures and plan appropriate interventions aimed at improving road safety. In conclusion, the paper highlights the possibilities and advantages of using artificial intelligence in road network inventory and network-wide road safety assessment. Such an approach can contribute to more efficient management of road infrastructure and improvement of road safety.

Road accident study in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is imperative as it will allow the government to improve its transport system and realize the vision of Abu Dhabi Department of Transport to contribute to quality of life, economic growth and environmental sustainability of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Despite sustainable and continuous reduction annually, road accidents still remain a serious phenomenon in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Road accidents killed 5,564 people in the UAE over the past 6 years, an average of more than two each day, with Abu Dhabi being the main victim [8]. A further examination of the severity index, Police records have shown that the deaths during the years 2006-2011 were a result of nearly 56,700 accidents, which also injured 63,406 people [8]. Research has shown that over 80% of road accidents are related to human factors [6]. Bad driving habits are dangerous and can lead to loss of life. This study will propose possible method of adopting Telematics System for Abu Dhabi Department of Transport to enhance its road safety programs. Telematics System can help reduce fatalities and injuries, thus improving road safety and efficiency of driving performance. These services range from monitoring drivers' driving habits and reporting on driving errors, to offering analysis of any unfortunate incidents that may have occurred.

Traffic accident law enforcement is a crucial element in efforts to improve justice and road safety in Indonesia. In the jurisdiction of the Tanjung Pinang Police, the problem of traffic accidents is a serious concern considering the high number of accidents that occur every year. This study aims to identify obstacles that hinder the optimization of traffic accident law enforcement and formulate effective solutions to overcome these obstacles. The research method used is a qualitative method with a case study approach. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with law enforcement officials, document analysis, and direct observation on the ground. Data analysis was carried out descriptively to understand the dynamics of traffic accident law enforcement in this region. The results of the study show that there are four main obstacles in traffic accident law enforcement at the Tanjung Pinang Police: limited human resources and equipment, lack of socialization and education about traffic safety, legal culture that has not been well formed in the community, and coordination between law enforcement agencies that is not optimal. Limited resources cause case handling to be less efficient, while the lack of socialization and education results in low public awareness of the importance of obeying traffic rules. In addition, the weak legal culture makes people reluctant to report accidents or provide information as witnesses. Poor coordination between the police, prosecutor's office, and the courts slows down the case resolution process. To overcome these obstacles, this study suggests increasing the allocation of resources and ongoing training for law enforcement officials, intensifying education and socialization programs on traffic safety to the public, applying a restorative justice approach to build public trust in the law, as well as the formation of joint working teams and the use of integrated information systems to improve coordination between institutions. With these steps, it is hoped that traffic accident law enforcement can run more effectively and efficiently, so that justice and road safety in Tanjung Pinang can be achieved.