New Delhi: A 5% cut in average speed can result in a 30%reduction in the number of fatal crashes, a study by WHO, shared on Monday during a workshop by the transport department and The Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety, revealed.
According to the study, the speed limit in urban spaces should be 50kmph or less. In areas that have high concentrations of pedestrians, such as around schools, markets or residential areas, it should be 30kmph or less.
Noting the ‘speed and crash risk relationship’, the study highlighted that in a speed zone of 60kmph, the risk of involvement in a casualty doubles at 60kmph. The relative risk increases four-fold at 65kmph, 10 times at 70kmph and 32 times at 75kmph, it added.
Brett Harman, Asia Pacific manager of Road Safety Projects, Global Road Safety Partnership, said, “We have seen this trend across urban cities, including Delhi. Also, in urban spaces, the risk of crash increases at a higher proportion than the increase in speed.”
During the workshop, the transport department underlined four main risk factors triggering crashes — speed, drunk driving, not using helmets properly and not wearing seat belts. Helmets properly attached to the head can reduce the chance of death by 40% and serious injury by 70% while seat belts can reduce fatalities by 50% and 75% for front and rear passengers, respectively, according to the study.
A senior official of the transport department said the study was compiled to increase awareness about road crashes. “We can avoid several mishaps by following some caution. We see people wearing helmets but not putting them on properly. These things might appear small but can lead to grave injuries,” he said, adding that along with awareness campaigns, strict enforcement drives would be needed for those not following rules.
Delhi reported the highest number of deaths in 2022 from crashes among cities with a population of over a million. A road transport and highways ministry report said the total number of road crashes in the city in 2022 was 18% higher than in 2021. Delhi saw 5,652 accidents in 2022 compared with 4,720 in 2021. In 2023, till Oct 31, the figure stood at 4,803.
The report underlined the need to have relevant road safety measures focused on legislation with appropriate penalties and consistent enforcement; data-driven enforcement; public awareness campaigns; and evaluation of enforcement actions and outcomes.
It also said that very limited safety benefits have been achieved in countries that changed speed limits but took little action to enforce and educate. “The messaging should be clear: speeding is dangerous, illegal and unacceptable behaviour and at odds with the interest of community safety,” the report added.
“We will soon bring artificial intelligence-powered cameras capable of checking 19 violations, including helmetless riding, three riders on two-wheelers and not using the seat belt. They will be installed in various locations in the city,” another official of the transport department said, adding that this would make enforcement more advanced.
Published On Feb 13, 2024 at 08:44 AM IST
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