India’s road safety situation has long been a matter of grave concern. According to the latest report by the ministry, the number of road accidents in India went up by 12% to over 4.6 Lakhs in 2022. A total of 4,61,312 road accidents have been reported by states and union territories during the year 2022, which claimed 1,68,491 lives and caused injuries to 4,43,366 persons.
This marks an increase of 11.9% in accidents, 9.45% in fatalities, and 15.3% in injuries compared to the previous year. More concerningly, the number of on-road accidental deaths in India seems to be trending upward at a time when, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the global number is trending down.
This disparity gives cause to wonder why India is claiming such a dubious distinction – and if there is anything to correct it. While the government has already taken several measures, such as the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, to mitigate this crisis, the statistics indicate that it might be time to augment existing strategies with something more cutting-edge – and innovative technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT).
AI on the road: How technology can transform road safety in India
The adoption of advanced technologies in India’s road safety sector is still in its nascent stages. While some progress has been made with the implementation of basic safety features and preliminary use of AI in traffic management, there is significant potential for further augmentation. The primary challenge lies in the integration of tech into the diverse and often chaotic Indian road environment.
That said, recent developments in applying cutting-edge tech to improve road safety are demonstrating impressive promise. Take, for instance, the AI-driven driver monitoring and feedback systems. Leveraging advanced dash cams, these systems continuously analyse driving behaviour to provide real-time prompts and personalised feedback to help drivers avoid risky or illegal manoeuvres, thus promoting safer driving habits. This becomes even more invaluable for B2B businesses operating large fleets, as they can ensure safer fleet operations in real-time through a centralised command centre.
These AI-driven dashcam monitoring and feedback solutions can also help improve the Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) technology which, while effective in many parts of the world, often falls short in India. For example, Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) designed for European roads do not perform optimally on Indian roads, which can be uneven and unpredictable. AI cameras can be deployed to address this disparity by recording and analysing movements and activities specific to Indian driving patterns. This data can then be used to develop ADAS tailored to local conditions, enhancing their effectiveness across personal, commercial, and public vehicles.
Another critical application of AI is in predictive analytics for accident prevention. There is, through analogous and digital means, a vast amount of data available on an array of factors such as road conditions, traffic patterns, and historical accident data. AI cameras can add to this with real-time data essential for building a comprehensive data repository of road movements and activities in India. These cameras can detect specific behaviours, such as sudden lane changes or walking pedestrians, which are crucial for creating and refining AI models to predict and prevent accidents. This continuous, iterative process to refine AI algorithms to better understand and respond to the various intricacies of Indian roads can also aid in implementing a more proactive approach. The result? Significant reduction in the likelihood of accidents by predicting potential accident hotspots and suggesting most viable preventive measures.
Further, in case an accident does occur, the data can help algorithms to continuously create and update the best response playbooks for different scenarios, helping in crisis mitigation and management.
Private-Public Collaboration: Fusing innovation with compliance and regulations
For this integration of innovative technologies into road safety and movement to be successful, there must be a synergistic effort between the private sector and government agencies. Private companies can drive technological advancements and provide the necessary expertise to develop sophisticated AI and IoT systems while the government can facilitate the deployment of these technologies by ensuring regulatory support and compliance.
For instance, government policies can focus on updating traffic laws to incorporate AI-based monitoring systems, mandating the use of ADAS in new vehicles, and providing incentives for retrofitting older vehicles with modern safety technologies. Public training and awareness are also crucial to help drivers understand and trust these new technologies and will be significant for their widespread adoption.
The integration of AI and IoT in road safety presents a promising avenue to address India’s pressing road safety challenges. Leveraging advanced technologies can create a safer and more efficient driving environment, benefiting personal, commercial, and public transportation alike. The path forward lies in harnessing the power of innovation through collaborative efforts, paving the way for a revolutionary transformation in road safety.
Abhilash Reddy is the Co-founder of Dacio.ai. Views expressed are his own.