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SMART TODAY SMARTER TOMORROW

Data-driven
by Kumaresh to put forth their in mitigating fatalities and injuries road safety
observations on the challenges around the world. However, in
and experiences they faced in India, there are three types of strategies have
tackling crash investigation. The databases available related to proven to be
session kept the audience involved crashes—NCRB & MoRTH, district-
through evidence-based examples wise data and the property highly effective
on crash investigation. damaged data from the insurance in mitigating
With 17 deaths and 55 accidents companies—on which the third
per hour, India’s staggering record party agencies have to rely. fatalities and
of traffic fatalities has created an The common focal point among injuries
urgent need to understand and all of these databases is the First
mitigate the factors involved in Information Report (FIR) filed by
these crashes. In 2018, India alone the police department, which is
witnessed 151,417 deaths and the basis of the whole accident to determine the root cause of the
467,044 accidents. investigation in India. But whether accident with the help of available
these FIRs are reliable (considering technology or statements.
Need for Data the reconstruction skills), on what
The understanding of crashes parameters are they filed (wrong The Root Cause
relies heavily on having quality, side drive, missing traffic signatures, What is the root cause of any
in-depth and scientific data speed limits, not following the accident? The reasons can be
available for analysis. Such data rules, usage of seatbelt/helmet, categorized into three buckets
is not available due to the lack proper road infrastructure, etc.) viz. main infrastructure, human
of accident investigation and are some of the questions which behavior and vehicle safety system.
reconstruction skills among the need to be addressed. Not only However, MoRTH report claims
police force accompanied with the is that the only issue but the fact that the root cause for 70% of
poor data collection and reporting that India is grappled with large the accidents is human behavior,
capabilities of the government. vehicle syndrome is also evident in which is not true considering the
Data-driven road safety strategies the FIRs filed. The police need to above mentioned causes. The
have proven to be highly effective clearly observe with an acute mind entire report erases the influence

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