Eight People Charred to Death in Gujarat Car Crash
Eight people, including five women and two children, were killed in a horrific road accident in Gujarat's Surendranagar district after their car collided with an SUV and burst into flames. The victims were charred to death as the car fell into a roadside ditch post-collision, trapping them inside. The occupants of the SUV escaped with minor injuries. The tragic incident, which occurred near Dedadara village, has once again brought the critical issue of national road safety into sharp focus.
Unpacked:
Overspeeding is the leading factor, causing over 65% of road crash deaths in Gujarat. Other major contributors include non-compliance with safety measures like not wearing seatbelts or helmets, hit-and-run cases, and inadequate enforcement of traffic regulations.
Gujarat ranks tenth in India for road accident deaths, accounting for 3.4% of the national total. In 2022, the state saw 36,626 fatalities over five years, with an average of 21 deaths daily, reflecting a significant road safety challenge compared to other states.
Gujarat has launched multiple initiatives, including Vision 2030 to halve fatalities by 2030, educational campaigns on helmet use, installation of rumble strips, and the Cashless Treatment Assistance Scheme for accident victims, aiming to improve emergency care during the golden hour.
While car fires and entrapment are less frequent than collisions, they pose severe risks when vehicles fall into ditches or crash at high speed. Safety protocols include mandatory seatbelt use, emergency escape tools, and enhanced vehicle safety standards, though enforcement remains a challenge.