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Complete Streets, Road Safety
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A Grim Toll: Pedestrian Deaths on the Rise in Gurugram

 

A Grim Toll: Pedestrian Deaths on the Rise in Gurugram

Gurugram, a city synonymous with rapid and unplanned development, is grappling with a deeply concerning issue: a surge in pedestrian fatalities on its roads. While strides have been made in certain areas, with intersections equipped with traffic signals, dedicated footpaths, and speed calming measures witnessing a significant – often complete – reduction in accidents, a grim reality persists elsewhere.

“Black spots,” intersections notorious for their high accident rates, remain neglected in many parts of the city. These neglected junctions continue to witness a constant, and in some cases, an alarming increase in pedestrian casualties. This stark disparity underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive and data-driven approach to road safety in Gurugram. Waiting for upcoming development, such as planned foot-over-bridges or underground pedestrian crossings, is unacceptable. Plenty of interim measures exist in the interim to prevent deaths and injuries, like temporary traffic signals, or cones to set aside space for pedestrians to cross.

The city’s major thoroughfares tell a tale of two realities. Roads such as Vikas Marg and Subhash Chandra Marg, characterized by frequent traffic signals strategically placed every 2 kilometers, have remarkably achieved close to zero pedestrian fatalities. This stands in stark contrast to the alarming trend on partially-unsignalized, high speed city corridors like Golf Course Road, a major artery plagued by a chronic lack of pedestrian infrastructure. Golf Course Road has consistently recorded an average of three pedestrian deaths annually, with a disturbing escalation in accidents this year.

This stark contrast underscores the critical role of effective infrastructure in safeguarding pedestrian lives. Well-maintained footpaths, clearly marked crosswalks, and robust traffic calming measures, such as speed bumps and rumble strips, not only enhance pedestrian safety but also contribute to a more humane and walkable urban environment.

However, the challenge extends beyond infrastructure. A holistic approach demands a multi-pronged strategy, encompassing data-driven analysis, enhanced enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and community engagement.

Data-driven Analysis: A crucial first step towards improving road safety is to understand the problem comprehensively. This necessitates meticulous data collection and analysis of accident hotspots. By meticulously analyzing accident reports, authorities can pinpoint specific locations with high pedestrian fatality rates. This data-driven approach allows for targeted interventions, enabling the allocation of resources and the implementation of safety measures where they are most urgently needed. For instance, if the analysis reveals a concentration of accidents at a particular intersection, the authorities can prioritize the installation of traffic signals, pedestrian crossings, and speed bumps at that location.

Enhanced Enforcement: Stricter enforcement of traffic rules is paramount to deter reckless driving behavior and improve road safety. This includes stringent penalties for speeding violations, red-light violations, and other traffic offenses. A visible police presence at critical intersections and on major roads can act as a deterrent and encourage drivers to adhere to traffic regulations. Furthermore, the use of technology, such as automated speed cameras and red-light cameras, can enhance enforcement efforts and ensure consistent application of traffic laws.

Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating all road users – pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists – about road safety rules and regulations is crucial for fostering a culture of responsible road behavior. Public awareness campaigns can effectively disseminate vital information through various channels such as public service announcements, social media campaigns, school programs, and community workshops. These campaigns can emphasize the importance of pedestrian safety, educate drivers about the dangers of distracted driving and speeding, and encourage cyclists to follow traffic rules and wear appropriate safety gear.

Community Engagement: Involving local communities in the planning and implementation of road safety measures is essential for ensuring their effectiveness and sustainability. Community engagement fosters a sense of ownership and empowers residents to become active participants in improving road safety. This can be achieved through public consultations, community meetings, and the formation of local road safety committees. By actively listening to the concerns and suggestions of residents, authorities can tailor road safety interventions to the specific needs and priorities of the community.

The loss of even one pedestrian life is a tragedy. Gurugram must prioritize pedestrian safety by investing in robust infrastructure, implementing effective enforcement mechanisms, and fostering a culture of road safety among all road users. The city’s future depends on creating a safe and inclusive environment for all its citizens, and ensuring that every pedestrian can navigate its streets without fear of injury or death.

Clean Mobility, Complete Streets, Cycling, Public Transport, Road Safety
By admin_rf

World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims 2024

Every year on the third Sunday of November, the world observes the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. This year, as we pay homage to those who have lost their lives on our roads, we must acknowledge the severity of India’s road safety crisis.

Lack of footpaths and separated cycle paths on a typical Delhi street leads to conflict between motorized and non-motorized traffic

According to the recent India Status Report on Road Safety 2024, prepared by the Transportation Research and Injury Prevention Centre (TRIP) at IIT Delhi, road traffic crashes (RTCs) are the leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in India, accounting for a staggering 43.7% of fatalities. The report reveals a grim picture: overspeeding is the primary cause of these deaths, contributing to a shocking 75.2% of fatalities. Pedestrians, cyclists, and two-wheeler riders are the most vulnerable victims, while trucks are frequently involved in fatal crashes.

Over the past decade, India witnessed a distressing 25% increase in road accident fatalities, with 1.5 million lives lost. Our fatality rate per 10,000 kilometers of road stands at a concerning 250, significantly higher than countries like China and the United States.

These statistics reflect a reality where our roads are fraught with danger. Families mourn the loss of loved ones, and we, as road users, face daily risks. We witness accidents, observe pedestrians and cyclists struggling to share space with speeding vehicles, and see motorcyclists vulnerable to collisions. Even routine journeys, like taking a child to school, require heightened caution. We often resort to larger vehicles for perceived safety, avoid public transport due to last-mile connectivity issues, and navigate roads with a defensive mindset.

A more promising approach is evident in cities worldwide, prioritizing safety and sustainability. They invest in infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users, creating accessible footpaths and dedicated cycle lanes. Strict enforcement of traffic laws, including penalties for speeding, drunk driving, and other reckless behaviors, is essential. Moreover, reducing urban speed limits to 30 km/h, as advocated by the UN and WHO, not only saves lives but also fosters a more pedestrian-friendly environment.

In Gurugram, the grim reality of road safety is evident. In 2023, 353 pedestrians and cyclists suffered injuries, and 161 lost their lives. These are not mere statistics but represent families shattered by tragedy. We have the power to reduce these numbers to zero.

While Gurugram faces increasing traffic and accidents, it’s crucial to note that 50% of trips are under 5 kilometers, ideal for walking or cycling. Additionally 60% of people in Gurgaon are pedestrians or cyclists. Unfortunately, the city’s pedestrian infrastructure is inadequate, with only 14% of roads having footpaths and a 60% shortfall of crossings. This forces pedestrians onto dangerous roads, increasing their vulnerability.

 In Gurugram, in the last five years, while the total number of vehicles increased by 40%, the incidence of crashes increased by 135%, far outpacing the growth of vehicles. A closer look at the data reveals that 79% of crashes occur due to overspeeding, while another 14% are due to rough driving. We build ever-faster, ever-wider roads to accommodate a small minority of the road users instead of the slow, safe and vibrant urban streets that the city requires. Highways in a city are usually the major death traps, and that is true in Gurugram as well. In 2023, there were 439 fatalities on our roads and 45% of these fatalities were on the national highway comprising just 2.1% of the roads.

A robust city bus service is another vital solution. The current fleet size is insufficient to meet the city’s demand. By introducing reliable bus services, we can reduce reliance on private cars, which contribute to half of road accidents. Buses also alleviate traffic congestion, pollution, and carbon emissions, particularly on the heavily burdened roads between Gurugram and Delhi. The recent acquisition of 500 electric buses by the Gurugram Metropolitan City Bus Limited (GMCBL) under the PM e-bus Sewa Scheme is a positive step towards addressing these issues.

 

E-buses can take several cars off the road, leading to less congestion and pollution, as well as road safety benefits

 

To address the alarming rate of road accidents in India, a comprehensive approach is necessary. Investing in improved infrastructure, such as continuous, accessible footpaths and cycle tracks, is paramount. Promoting public transportation through efficient bus services can significantly reduce private vehicle usage. Additionally, implementing measures to slow down traffic, like reduced speed limits and traffic calming measures, is crucial. By prioritizing these measures, we can create safer roads and protect the lives of millions of Indians.

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By admin_rf

Cities are for people and not for cars. Period.

If someone were to tell you that your city will introduce a transport system that will congest roads, will contribute towards worsening air quality, will be responsible for many road traffic-related deaths and will cater to only 3% of the population, what will your reaction be? I am sure you will laugh or get angry or even become speechless, right? You would surely not support this kind of system. Unfortunately, we are not only doing it day in and day out, but are also supporting the car-centric model of development. The result is that we get streets clogged with traffic, clouded with smog, blaring with honking while all we want is that everyone – rich or poor, young or old, men or women – should be able to use the streets to walk, cycle and use public transport without any fear of safety or security.

Read More “Cities are for people and not for cars. Period.”

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By admin_rf

Raahgiri Day is back – and why you must come!

Raahgiri day has been halted due to COVID-19 restrictions since early 2019, but it will be reopening this week, Sunday the 5th of September from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. For those you who have forgotten (and for the few unaware in the first place), Raahgiri day is an event wherein major streets are closed to all automobiles and are instead repurposed toward recreational and community leisure activities. It was launched initially in Gurgaon in November of 2013 but was eventually adopted by many of the major cities.

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How Raahgiri is creating carbon-neutral streets

What does carbon neutral mean?

Put simply, having carbon-neutrality implies that any C02 released into the environment by company or human activity is to be balanced by an equivalent amount being removed. In the context of climate change, carbon (CO2) refers to the greenhouse gases released by the combustion of fossil fuels, land use change and other human activity (Carbon Free Boston, 2021)

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HOW GURGAON WALKS

Every year, far too many lives are lost on the streets of Gurgaon, due to its ill-designed and unsafe roads. In 2021 alone, there were 125 pedestrian deaths in Gurgaon, which accounted for 31% of the total road accident fatalities in the city. Gurgaonites, however, are not necessarily at fault for how Gurgaon walks.

Although Gurgaon may seem like one of the most developed cities in India because of its grand buildings and wide roads, it has the reputation of being one of the least walkable cities in Haryana. In fact, the city has an average walkability index of only 0.45 out of 5, which reflects “an overall poor condition.” To add to that, 48% of all daily trips in Gurgaon are taken on foot, but only 28% of its arterial roads have footpaths.

Read More “HOW GURGAON WALKS”

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The Power of Initiative

The lessons India can learn from cities that were able to transform transportation and mobility.

To say that Indian cities have largely neglected sustainable transport would be an understatement. Urban cities have largely been designed to cater to vehicles; designed to ensure that these vehicles can get from place A to place B as rapidly and comfortably as possible. In doing so, the needs of vulnerable road users are neglected. According to the Indian Government, one citizen is killed due to a traffic accident every three and a half minutes. Yet, most continue to move forward believing this is acceptable and unavoidable – that this is ‘just the way it is’.

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By admin_rf

Beyond Physical Injuries: The Unseen Trauma of Road Crashes

Wounds get healed, bills get paid off, and life moves on but there’s more to road accidents than what meets the eye. Though often overlooked, the mental scars that lie beneath bloodied wounds deserve just as much attention as the physical ones. These scars take a long time to heal and sometimes, due to a lack of proper response, they also have the potential to develop into lifelong disorders or phobias.
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Sustainable Mobility for India: The G20 Vision

In the next two decades, it is estimated that the percentage of individuals living in urban areas will increase to 70%, up from the current 50%. According to a 2020 report by the European Union, there is nearly one car for every two people. Although this is an average statistic, the trend of motorization continues to grow, with a 2019 survey showing that the total number of vehicles in India alone reached 295.8 million
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Indians and their “hate-hate” relationship with traffic rules

Indian drivers are incredibly resourceful when using the road: we don’t believe in wasting space. Out of a two-lane road, drivers carve out nearly five (or possibly more if one takes into account the footpath that 2-wheeler drivers whimsically repurpose). Granted, it’s hyperbolic but it isn’t far from the truth, is it? Unsurprisingly, India’s alarming numbers of fatal road crashes do not seem to be coming down. While there is some level of ignorance about road safety rules, a broken system with no real will to intervene at the policy level, is what is truly responsible for today’s sorry state of affairs.
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