UP First State to Adopt AI in Road Safety

UP First State to Adopt AI in Road Safety

Why in News? 

Uttar Pradesh has recently taken the lead as the first Indian state to begin an AI-powered road safety pilot initiative. This initiative will be backed by the central government, and aims to use artificial intelligence and big data to reduce accidents. 

UP First State to Adopt AI in Road Safety

• About: Uttar Pradesh has taken a major step by becoming the first state in India to introduce artificial intelligence for improving road safety. The Transport Department of the state has launched a pilot project using AI and big data analytics to build a smarter and safer traffic system. This project has received a formal No Objection Certificate from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Government of India. The state government has included this initiative in its 2025–26 budget, allocating ₹10 crore to create a data-driven model for administrative functions. 

• Partners: This AI-driven pilot project is a result of collaboration between the Uttar Pradesh Transport Department and two key technical partners. The project will be implemented on a pro bono basis by ITI Limited, a public sector enterprise, in association with global technology company mLogica. 

• Objectives: The main goal of this pilot project is to use AI tools to understand the causes of road accidents and prevent them effectively. It aims to build models that can study accident records, road conditions, vehicle patterns, and driver behaviour to identify common factors behind crashes. It aims to reduce accident rates and increase road safety across the state.

• Core Features: The pilot project will run initially for six weeks. During this time, the system will use AI algorithms to collect and integrate different types of data, including traffic incidents, weather conditions, telematics from vehicles, driver profiles, and road structure. Based on this, the project will generate intelligent alerts, identify high-risk areas, and provide policy suggestions in a digital format. The system will also forecast future accident-prone zones or “black spots” using real-time data. The project also includes expanding the AI model to other services like faceless licensing, digital permits, vehicle registration under the Vahan–Sarathi systems, and even fraud detection during enforcement.

• Legal Framework: The central ministry has clearly stated that the project must follow all existing transport laws. This includes full compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, the Central Motor Vehicles Rules of 1989, and all relevant e-enforcement standard operating procedures. Data privacy and cybersecurity will be closely monitored throughout the process.

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Current Scenario of Road Accidents in India

• National Overview: In the year 2024, India continued to face serious challenges in maintaining road safety. As per the most recent data from the transport ministry, India saw more than 4.5 lakh road accidents during the year. These incidents resulted in approximately 1.6 lakh deaths and over 4.3 lakh injuries. These numbers reflect the ongoing concern that road travel in India remains dangerous for many. 

• State-Wise Accidents: Road accident figures in 2024 varied widely across different Indian states. Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka were among the states with the highest number of reported cases. Uttar Pradesh recorded the most fatalities, crossing 21,000 deaths in the year. Smaller states like Himachal Pradesh and the northeastern regions had fewer accidents but reported higher fatality rates due to hilly terrains and poor medical infrastructure. 

• Accident Rate Per Population: According to official statistics from 2021, the road accident death rate per population in India is 11.3 deaths per 100,000 people. When the road accident rate is measured per lakh population, states with high population density and urban congestion like Delhi and Maharashtra show higher rates of crashes per capita. States with increasing numbers of private vehicles such as Haryana and Gujarat also experienced a rise in accident rates.  

• Categories of Road Users: In recent years vulnerable road users continued to face the greatest risk. Pedestrians, cyclists, and two-wheeler riders accounted for more than half of the total road accident deaths. Two-wheeler riders alone made up nearly 45% of all fatalities. In 2024, over 75% of accidents were linked to human error. 

• Growth Trends: Compared to 2023, the total number of accidents in 2024 increased by around 3%. Fatalities rose by nearly 2%, while the number of injuries remained almost the same. Post-pandemic increases in personal vehicle use, reduced public transport usage, and weakened road discipline.

Causes for High Road Accidents in India

• Human Error: Human error remains the most common cause of road accidents in India. In 2024, official reports showed that road crashes happened due to mistakes made by drivers. These include overspeeding, drunk driving, not wearing helmets or seatbelts, and using mobile phones while driving. Many drivers also break traffic signals or overtake carelessly. 

• Poor Infrastructure: Poor road infrastructure plays a major role in causing accidents. Many roads have potholes, broken dividers, and no proper signage. Highways often lack proper lighting, especially at night, which leads to deadly crashes. Some cities do not have separate lanes for two-wheelers or pedestrians. Poorly designed U-turns, sudden curves, and waterlogging make roads unsafe. 

• Lack of Strong System: In many areas, traffic rules are not strictly followed because there are not enough officers on the roads. Even when rules exist, people often escape without paying fines. Vehicles run without valid documents, and many drivers continue breaking laws. Many states do not have modern traffic monitoring systems like speed cameras or automatic challan generators. In 2024, authorities reported that a large number of vehicles involved in accidents did not have valid fitness certificates. 

Government Initiatives and Legal Framework

• Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019: The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 brought several changes to improve road safety. It increased penalties for traffic violations and introduced stricter rules for driving licenses. The Act made it mandatory for vehicle fitness tests and insurance checks. It also focused on protecting good Samaritans who help accident victims. 

• e-Challan and Digital Enforcement System: The government launched the e-Challan system to improve traffic enforcement. This digital platform allows automatic generation of fines through cameras and speed sensors. It reduces human error and ensures that violators cannot escape penalties.  

• Road Safety Week Campaign: To spread public awareness, the government conducts Road Safety Week annually from January 11 to 17. Schools, colleges, and transport offices hold activities to promote safe driving habits.  

• Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD): The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways developed the iRAD system to collect and study accident data. This digital tool helps authorities find accident-prone zones and understand the causes of crashes.

• Good Samaritan Guidelines: To encourage public help during road accidents, the government introduced the Good Samaritan Guidelines. These rules protect individuals who assist victims from legal trouble or harassment. Hospitals must treat such helpers with respect and cannot delay care to the injured. 

• National Road Safety Policy: The National Road Safety Policy defines the government’s long-term vision for lowering the number of road accidents. It focuses on improving road engineering, strengthening traffic laws, and building public awareness. The policy also promotes emergency medical care for crash victims. 

• India also supports the Decade of Action Plan for Road Safety 2021-2030 to prevent at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.

Strategies for Safer Roads in India

• Promoting Road Safety Education: One of the most effective ways to build safer roads is by introducing road safety education at all levels. Schools should teach students basic traffic rules and safe behavior from an early age. Road safety lessons can also be added to driving license training. 

• Upgrading Road Infrastructure: Improving the quality of road infrastructure is essential to reduce accidents. Pothole-free roads, visible markings, proper lighting, and well-designed intersections help prevent crashes. Regular audits of roads and strict quality checks during construction are necessary to ensure long-term safety.

• Strengthening Law Enforcement: India needs stricter enforcement of traffic laws to improve road safety. Many drivers break rules without fear of punishment. Police should receive proper training, and systems should be in place to track repeat offenders. Timely penalties can discourage risky driving habits and make roads safer.

• Integrating Smart Technologies: Technology-based solutions can transform road safety in India. AI-powered systems, vehicle telematics, and real-time data dashboards help authorities detect accident risks early. Intelligent traffic signals, CCTV surveillance, and GPS tracking for commercial vehicles also improve monitoring.