India's Road Safety Crisis : Road Accidents

The Grim Reality of Road Accidents

India is witnessing an alarming number of road accidents every year, with metropolitan cities contributing significantly to these statistics. Nearly 78% of road accidents are reported from urban areas, where high population density, vehicular congestion, and infrastructure bottlenecks converge to create a hazardous environment for road users. The sheer volume of traffic in these cities increases the probability of collisions, with major contributors being two-wheelers, cars, and commercial vehicles.

Apart from the urban issues, road accidents are not a problem in rural areas. Narrow roads in poor conditions and mixed traffic comprising bullock carts, tractors, and high-speed vehicles pose unique problems. The lack of adequate health care facilities in the interior areas also worsens the impact of road accidents as it often leads to more fatalities than in the cities. In such scenarios, having health insurance becomes crucial, as it ensures access to timely medical care and financial protection, even in remote regions.