As India marks Republic Day and observes National Road Safety Month (January 1–31) under the theme “Sadak Suraksha, Jeevan Raksha,” the urgency to protect lives on our roads has never been greater. 

India continues to lose over 1.7 lakh lives annually to road crashes, with pedestrians, cyclists, and two-wheeler riders facing the highest risk. Speeding alone accounts for nearly 70% of fatalities, while helmet use, seatbelt compliance, and child safety remain uneven across states. Although 2025 witnessed progress through regulatory reforms, institutional strengthening, and data-led enforcement, systemic gaps and uneven implementation continue to drive preventable crashes. 

The Road Safety Network’s whitepaper, “2025 in Review, 2026 in Focus: India’s Road Safety Roadmap,” examines the key policy, legislative, behavioural, and governance shifts seen in 2025, alongside the critical actions required in 2026 to translate reforms into measurable safety outcomes. Drawing on national data, MoRTH findings, Supreme Court directives, and state-level best practices, it presents practical, evidence-based solutions to strengthen road safety systems across the country. 

Priority recommendations include strengthening provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, implementing scientific speed management guidelines, mandating child safety measures, adopting SMART road safety action plans at states and districts, operationalising the National Road Safety Board, and launching a mission-mode National Road Safety Mission. 

Released on 26 January 2026, this discussion aims to move the national conversation from intent to execution — reinforcing road safety as a national development priority. 

👉 Download the whitepaper now
For more details, write to us at roadsafetynetwork@gmail.com