No need for speed

H. Kishie Singh

The increased speed limits on our roads were recommended by a committee constituted by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, MORTH. The Committee recommendations echoed the opinion of the Union Transport Minister, Nitin Gadkari and made sense. Vastly improved roads and cars mean better road efficiency. From a logistical point of view, higher the speed, more efficient the movement. 

Theoretically, all reasons are requisites for higher speed limits. However, a chain is as strong as the weakest link! The weakest link in this case is the driver. The Indian driver is not trained or experienced to handle high speed. As the driver is the key factor in every auto crash, the speed limit should not be in accordance with road conditions but with the driver’s capabilities.

From the practical point of view, especially in India, higher the speed, higher the death toll! Additional important ingredients missing in the Indian driver, maybe most Indians, is the lack of social responsibility, civic sense, etiquette and simple manners. A pinch of all these will make our roads much safer.

It is the wisdom of the ancients that one should learn from one’s own mistakes and other people’s success. We don’t follow that. 

Sometimes in the 1970s, the Arabs turned off the oil taps. The Oil Producing and Exporting Countries (all Arab countries), knew where to hurt the Americans. Fuel was rationed in America overnight and speed limits were reduced.

Within 30 days, the police across the US said the number of road accidents had fallen. There were hardly any emergency calls. Hospitals echoed similar reports. Insurance companies were thrilled: No claims for accidents! The premium collected stayed in the insurance company coffers!

This is proof positive of the advantages of slower speeds limits. Immediately, less crashes, fewer fatalities, less injured, less insurance claims, less work for the police, hospitals and administration. And fuel saved. Benefits an individual and, of course, the country! India should pay attention to this last point, fuel saved. We import over 80 per cent of the crude oil requirements. Slower speed limits and smaller engines will lower the demand for import of crude oil. India benefits!

Indian roads kill about 1, 60, 000 people annually due to road accidents. With higher speeds, this figure will go up too. As will the collateral damage.

According to the UN, India loses US $ 5.8 billion annually due to road accidents in the form of compensation, insurance and loss of property. The majority of victims are in the age group of 15-24 years, the prime of India’s youth. The other fatalities are in the lowest income group, often the lone breadwinner. This affects five to seven million dependents. 

This increased speed limit, do we need it? No. Can we afford it? No.

MORTH, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has unleashed a very serious and ambitious advertising programme on All India Radio to educate every road user. Every aspect of road safety is being discussed and drilled into the public. One of the points being stressed upon is that 80 per cent of the road fatalities are a result of over-speeding. The committee that increased the speed limits was unaware of this fact. Obviously, the left hand didn’t know what the right hand was doing!

Happy Motoring!