United Nations Road Safety Fund (UNRSF) has launched a Sustainable Road Safety Financing Project in India to strengthen financial mechanisms and institutional capacity for road safety interventions. The project will be implemented in: Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam.
It will operate under the coordination of UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and was inaugurated in New Delhi during the visit of Jean Todt, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety.
Project: “Sustainable Financing for Road Safety in India – A Collaborative Approach”
The project is funded through the UNRSF and implemented with technical support from:
- World Health Organization
- UNICEF
- United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
It is implemented in partnership with:
- Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
- Save LIFE Foundation (non-profit partner)
Key Features of Road Safety Financing Project
1. Core Objective
- Establish sustainable and coordinated financing mechanisms for road safety programmes.
- Strengthen national and state-level financial planning for road safety.
- Reduce road fatalities and serious injuries leading to disabilities.
2. Focus States
The initiative is being rolled out in four states:
- Rajasthan
- Kerala
- Tamil Nadu
- Assam
These states will serve as pilot models for structured road safety financing.
3. Sustainable Financing Strategies
The project promotes innovative financing tools such as:
- Road safety bonds
- Dedicated safety-related taxes
- Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)
- Predictable and ring-fenced funding streams
The goal is to move away from ad hoc funding toward structured, long-term financing.
4. Capacity Building
A key component involves:
- Strengthening institutional capacity at national and sub-national levels
- Improving planning, budgeting, and monitoring of road safety investments
- Enhancing implementation of state-level road safety action plans
5. Global Alignment
The initiative supports:
- Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030
- Target: 50% reduction in road deaths and injuries by 2030.
- Commitments under recent UN General Assembly resolutions.
- The Declaration of Marrakesh (adopted at the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, 2025), which calls for:
- Political commitment
- Sustainable financing
- Safe-system approach
Why This Project is Needed
India faces a severe road safety crisis:
- ~1.68 lakh fatalities reported in 2022–23.
- Majority of victims: 18–45 years age group.
- Largest share of fatalities: Two-wheelers.
- Leading cause: Over-speeding.
- Estimated economic loss: Around 3% of GDP annually due to road crashes.
Road accidents impose heavy:
- Health costs
- Social costs
- Economic burdens
India’s Road Safety Framework
India has already undertaken several reforms:
Legislative Measures
Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019
- Increased penalties for violations.
- Good Samaritan protection.
- Higher compensation for victims.
- Promoted electronic enforcement systems.
Institutional Framework
- National Road Safety Policy
- National Road Safety Board (NRSB)
- National Road Safety Council
Engineering & Data Interventions
- Black Spot Identification and Rectification by MoRTH.
- iRAD (Integrated Road Accident Database) for real-time data analytics.
Behavioural Interventions
- Good Samaritan Guidelines.
- National Road Safety Month.
- Helmet and seatbelt promotion campaigns.
- Anti-drunk driving awareness drives.
About UN Road Safety Fund (UNRSF)
Established in 2018, the UNRSF is a global trust fund supporting road safety reforms, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Objectives
- Reduce road traffic deaths and serious injuries.
- Strengthen road safety laws and enforcement.
- Promote sustainable financing.
- Support safer road infrastructure and vehicles.
- Improve post-crash emergency care.
Working Mechanism
The fund provides:
- Grants
- Technical assistance
- Institutional capacity support
It collaborates with:
- UN agencies
- National governments
- Civil society
- Private sector
The fund focuses on systemic reforms rather than isolated interventions.