Context
The Centre has constituted the National Road Safety Board, an advisory statutory body, amid record road fatalities of 1,77,175 in 2024 (per the latest report of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways).
Objectives of the National Road Safety Board
- The National Road Safety Board was set up under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Section 215B of this Act legally requires the government to set up this Board.
- Formulating comprehensive guidelines for highway architecture and construction to minimize transit hazards.
- Recommending the use of cutting-edge tech solutions to streamline vehicular flow and proactively prevent crashes.
- Spearheading nationwide outreach campaigns to foster a culture of responsible driving and commuter awareness.
- Partnering with state-level authorities to guarantee that traffic laws and safety protocols are strictly and consistently applied across the country.
India’s International Commitments to Road Safety
- India formally committed to the United Nations’ Decade of Action for Road Safety (spanning 2011 to 2020), a global pact designed to drastically lower the number of transit-related casualties worldwide.
- To shape its domestic policies, India draws inspiration from premier international models like Sweden’s “Vision Zero” approach.
Legislative Background
- Idea traces to the Sundar Committee’s 2007 report, which proposed a board with powers to prescribe standards, monitor compliance, conduct safety audits, and coordinate action across agencies.
- First introduced in Parliament via the National Road Safety and Traffic Management Board Bill, 2010, largely confined to highways and mechanised vehicles.
- Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport (July 2010 report) noted several proposed functions were already discharged by existing institutions.
Statutory Timeline
- Statutory provision came into force with rules notified in September 2021; the board itself remained unconstituted until now.
- As recently as May 2026, the Supreme Court pressed the Centre to operationalise the board, acting as a parallel force driving road safety reforms via PIL S. Rajaseekaran v. Union of India (pending since 2012).
| Important CTC from this article for UPSC:- National Road Safety Board United Nations’ Decade of Action for Road Safety |
Q. With reference to the National Road Safety Board, consider the following statements:
I. It has been constituted under Section 215B of the Motor Vehicles Act.
II. It has been granted binding regulatory powers over both Union and State governments on road safety matters.
III. Road safety is a subject on which both the Union and the States have legislative competence.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I and II only
(b) I and III only
(c) II and III only
(d) I, II and III
Answer: (b) I and III only
Explanation:
Statement I is Correct: The board was constituted on 29 June under Section 215B of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Statement II is Incorrect: The board is only an advisory body; it has no binding regulatory powers over the Centre or States.
Statement III is Correct: Road safety involves shared legislative competence between the Union and State governments.