SYLLABUS

GS-2: Important International Institutions, agencies and fora - their Structure, Mandate; Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. 

SYLLABUS

GS-2: Important International Institutions, agencies and fora - their Structure, Mandate; Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Context: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted the Progress Declaration on Improving Global Road Safety during the High-Level Meeting on Improving Global Road Safety (20–21 July 2026), reaffirming global commitment to reducing road traffic deaths and injuries.

More on the News

• The declaration seeks to scale up and accelerate implementation of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030) to achieve SDG Target 3.6 of halving global road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.
• It calls upon countries to strengthen road safety governance, financing, evidence-based interventions and international cooperation through the Safe System Approach.
• The declaration builds upon earlier global commitments, including the 2022 Political Declaration on Improving Global Road Safety and the Marrakech Declaration (2025).

Key Highlights of the Declaration

• 2030 Global Target: Reaffirms the commitment to reduce global road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 50% by 2030, supported by measurable national targets.
• National Lead Road Safety Agency: Calls upon countries to establish or designate a National Lead Road Safety Agency with legal authority, accountability and sustainable financing to coordinate road safety efforts.
• National Road Safety Strategy: Encourages countries to adopt funded national road safety strategies with clear targets, timelines, budgets and accountability, covering engineering, enforcement, education and emergency care.
• Safe System & Multi-pronged Approach: Promotes safer speed management, safer roads and land-use design, internationally recognised vehicle safety standards, safer road user behaviour, effective post-crash care and evidence-based policymaking.
• Safe and Inclusive Mobility: Emphasises safe, affordable and accessible public transport, protection of vulnerable road users, and integration of road safety into sustainable transport, urban planning and public health policies.

Global Road Safety Framework

• Road Safety Scenario
  • According to the WHO, road traffic crashes claim about 1.16 million lives and cause nearly 50 million injuries every year, making them the leading cause of death among people aged 5–29 years.
  • Nearly 92% of global road traffic deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, while more than half of all fatalities are among vulnerable road users, with motorcyclists accounting for nearly one-third of global deaths.
  • Despite over one billion additional vehicles worldwide, the global road traffic fatality rate declined by 21% between 2011 and 2025, indicating progress while underscoring the need for accelerated action.
• Key Global Initiatives
  • Brasília Declaration on Road Safety (2015): Called for strengthening national road safety policies and reducing road traffic deaths and injuries.
  • UN Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030): Global framework promoting the Safe System Approach to achieve the target of halving road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.
  • Political Declaration on Improving Global Road Safety (2022): Reaffirmed Member States' commitment to accelerate implementation of road safety measures.
  • Marrakech Declaration (2025): Adopted at the Fourth Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, it renewed national commitments towards achieving the 2030 target.

Road Safety in India

• Current Scenario
  • India continues to record one of the highest numbers of road traffic fatalities globally, with 5.1 lakh road crashes claiming more than1.8 lakh deaths in 2025 (about 502 deaths every day).
  • Overspeeding remains the leading cause of road accidents, while pedestrians, cyclists and two-wheeler riders constitute a significant share of road traffic fatalities.
• Key Initiatives
  • Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019: Strengthens road safety regulations through stricter penalties, enhanced vehicle safety standards and improved enforcement.
  • 4E Strategy: India follows the Engineering, Enforcement, Education and Emergency Care (4E) approach to improve road safety through coordinated interventions.
  • PM RAHAT (Road Accident Helpline and Assistance Technology) & Cashless Treatment Scheme: Strengthen emergency response through a nationwide accident helpline, prompt rescue coordination and cashless treatment for road accident victims during the golden hour.
  • Good Samaritan Guidelines: Protect bystanders who voluntarily assist road accident victims from legal and procedural harassment, encouraging timely medical assistance.
  • Black Spot Rectification Programme: Identifies and improves accident-prone road stretches through targeted engineering interventions to reduce crashes.

Sources:
Press
Cdn
Timeofindia
Pib