Government Launches Data-Driven Initiative to Reduce Road Crashes in 100 High-Risk Districts
India’s central government has initiated a targeted program to address the issue of road accidents in 100 districts identified as having the highest incidence of crashes and fatalities. The initiative, called ‘Data Driven Hyperlocal Intervention’ (DDHI), aims to implement localized solutions based on comprehensive data analysis to improve road safety across these regions.
The districts, spread across 18 states, were selected based on integrated road accident data collected since 2021. Maharashtra leads with 19 districts, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 18 and Karnataka with 11. The selection reflects a strategic focus on areas with the most significant road safety challenges.
The DDHI program is spearheaded by the Centre of Excellence for Road Safety (CoERS) at IIT-Madras. While human error is a primary cause of road accidents, the initiative emphasizes addressing localized factors that contribute to crashes. By targeting these specific issues, the government aims to create a more effective and sustainable approach to road safety.
Key components of the DDHI include empowering District Road Safety Councils (DRSCs) to lead decision-making and implementation. These councils, led by their chairpersons, will be responsible for designing interventions tailored to the unique conditions of each district. This bottom-up approach is expected to enhance the relevance and effectiveness of road safety measures.
Union Road Transport Secretary V Umashankar emphasized the importance of district-level interventions. He stated that policy decisions alone are insufficient to reduce road crashes and deaths. Instead, targeted, data-driven solutions are necessary. He also highlighted the need for a thorough analysis of crash causes and the implementation of cost-effective, community-informed interventions.
The DDHI program will focus on building the capacity of selected districts to identify and implement critical road safety measures. It will also establish mechanisms for assessing the impact of these interventions, ensuring that they are both sustainable and effective. The initiative aims to create a framework that supports long-term improvements in road safety across the country.
By leveraging data and community input, the DDHI initiative seeks to address the root causes of road accidents in high-risk areas. This approach not only targets immediate safety concerns but also works towards creating a safer road environment for all road users.