National Road Safety Week 2025 – January 11 to 17

National Road Safety Week, organised by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), is annually observed across India from January 11-17 every year to raise awareness about road safety. It highlights the need for responsible driving, pedestrian safety, and better road infrastructure to prevent and reduce accidents and save lives.

• 2025 marks the observance of the 36th National Road Safety Week.

Background: 

i.The 1st-ever National Road Safety Week, introduced by the MoRTH, was observed in 1989. 

• It was later expanded to a month-long observance in 2021 to intensify road safety efforts.

ii.The annual observance is led by the MoRTH to promote road safety measures.

• The National Safety Council of India (NSC) under the Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E), also organises the National Road Safety Week.

National Road Safety Month (RSM): 

i.It is an annual observance introduced by the MoRTH to sensitize citizens and road users about the severity of the challenges of road safety.

•  The first National RSM was observed in 2021.
• In 2025 the National RSM is being observed from January 1-31, 2025.

Key Highlights on Road Safety in India:

i.The ‘India Status Report on Road Safety 2024’ of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) New Delhi (Delhi) indicates concerning trends in road safety. As per the Report,

• Accident Statistics: India accounted for 11% of global road accidents and 10% of global fatalities.
• Vulnerable Groups: Pedestrians, cyclists, and 2-wheeler riders constitute over 50% of fatalities.
• High-Risk States: States like Uttar Pradesh (UP), Tamil Nadu (TN), and Maharashtra report the highest number (50%) of accidents and fatalities. West Bengal(WB) and Bihar had the lowest rates at (5.9%).

ii.The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 was implemented to strengthen road safety norms and law enforcement to reduce fatalities.

iii.The National Highway Accident Relief Service Scheme (NHARSS) was introduced to provide quick medical aid to accident victims.

iv.The National Road Safety Policy (NRSP) was introduced in 2010 following recommendations by the S. Sundar Committee in 2007 to reduce road accidents and fatalities in India.

UN’s Global Road Safety Week: 

i.The United Nations Global Road Safety Week (UNGRSW) is a biennial campaign, hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO), aimed to raise awareness of road safety and reduce the number of road deaths.

• This week-long event is observed across the globe in May every year.
• In 2024, it was observed from May 10–14.

ii.The UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution “Improving global road safety ” with the ambitious target of preventing at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.