India has one of the highest fatality rates in the world with regard to road accidents. The irony is that pedestrians, the public traveling in public transport, and two wheeler drivers are the main victims of the road accidents in India. There has been a lack of coordinated efforts so far, especially in the post accident scenario, where 50% of the people die. Lack of legislative reforms and enforcement and absence of any regulation, and benchmarks for ambulances are two of the major lacunae in India. A pilot project has been set up in NH-8 to the care of post-accident trauma. New technology such as mapping, 24 hour control room, and a network of mobile ambulances need to be developed. A formalized rescue needs to be started and people should be trained to react automatically to such situations. This article discusses in detail, all the final points regarding such issues.

It was on August 17, 1896, that Bridget Driscoll, a 44-year-old mother of two became the first human to die in what is now termed as road traffic accidents. She and her teenage daughter were on their way to Crystal Palace in London when a car stuck her as they crossed the palace grounds. Witnesses said the car was going at a tremendous speedlater confirmed at 12 kms/hrand was driven by a young man.

Unfortunately the world, 100 years hence has not heeded the coroner's remarks. Today while Road Traffic Accidents rank as the 9th major cause of death worldwide, it is the leading cause of mortality within the age group of 15-44 years. Today India ranks along with China as high fatality areas amongst all countries of the world2. India has 1% of the world's vehicles but accounts for a 6% of the world's accidents; if that is not staggering, this definitely is: While the worldwide ratio is 0.75 accidents per 1000 vehicles, in India it stands at 16 accidents per 1000 vehicles.