Road accidents are on the rise globally, and one of the largest causes of them is rash driving. Speeding, careless driving, and violation of traffic rules result in risky situations, resulting in serious injuries or even fatalities. Each time a driver drives carelessly, they not only endanger their own life but also risk the lives of others.

Several dangerous driving practices lead to road accidents. Speeding, mobile phone use while driving, and driving under the influence are some of the most prevalent causes of crashes. These irresponsible behaviors raise the likelihood of accidents, at times resulting in fatal outcomes. Besides loss of lives, rash driving also impacts the economy and the health of individuals.

Global road safety rankings: Where does India stand?

The problem of unsafe driving is not only restricted to one country—it is global. Zutobi, an American driver training firm, carries out an annual survey to list nations according to their road safety. This list considers factors such as speed limits, blood alcohol content (BAC) limits, and road accident fatalities.

Based on the recent survey, South Africa was rated the most hazardous nation to drive in. Sadly, India is among the most risky nations to drive in, holding position number 49 among a total of 53 nations. This puts it at the 5th most risky nation in the Zutobi report. India's poor showing is attributed to its high rate of road accident deaths, widespread flouting of traffic rules, and poor law enforcement regarding road safety.

Whereas India has developed its road infrastructure and brought about tougher legislation, enforcement is a huge issue. Traffic regulations in most cities and rural towns are disregarded, and officials struggle to impose discipline on the roads. India is no different from South Africa, where traffic officers' corruption dilutes law enforcement.

“Laws are there in South Africa, but the lack of enforcement through corrupt traffic officers who take bribes is commonly discussed among drivers,” Alisha Chinnah, who works in road licensing, told news agency PTI.

Which country has the safest roads?

Norway has been the safest country for driving for four years in a row. The country has strict traffic laws, top-notch roads, and cautious drivers, setting an example for road safety.

At the same time, the United States was in 51st place, i.e., it is also one of the riskiest countries to drive. The poll noted that uneven enforcement of the traffic code and increased accident rates in certain areas have brought down the US rating.

South Africa took the last position for the second consecutive year, primarily because there is widespread corruption among the traffic officers, which makes law enforcement impossible.

The Zutobi survey indicated that the worldwide road traffic fatality rate has reduced slightly from 8.9 to 6.3 per 100,000 individuals. Speed limits and BAC regulations, however, have not changed, indicating that additional efforts are required to enhance road safety.

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