WHY ARE STATES YET TO ADOPT THE SC’S 5 KEY MEASURES?

PRERNA FOR IAS

         Mehnat Aapki, Guidance Humari

         Roz ki Prelims Practice — Experts ke Saath

WHY ARE STATES YET TO ADOPT THE SC’S 5 KEY MEASURES?

1. Why the Supreme Court's Directions Matter

The Supreme Court of India issued important directions to improve post-crash emergency care and reduce road accident deaths. The objective is to ensure that accident victims receive immediate medical assistance during the "Golden Hour," the first 60 minutes after a crash, when timely treatment greatly increases survival chances. The Court directed all states and Union Territories to strengthen emergency response systems through better coordination, technology, and legal support. Effective implementation can significantly reduce fatalities and permanent disabilities caused by road accidents. However, compliance across India remains uneven, highlighting the need for stronger administrative commitment and better coordination among authorities.

2. The Five Key Measures

The Supreme Court recommended five essential measures to improve post-accident emergency response across India. These include establishing a common emergency phone number, deploying GPS-enabled ambulances, implementing a Good Samaritan Law to protect helpers, creating a trauma registry to monitor serious injuries, and adopting a standardized rescue protocol. Together, these measures aim to provide quick medical assistance, improve ambulance response time, encourage public participation, and ensure better coordination among hospitals, police, and emergency services. Proper implementation of these measures can save thousands of lives each year and strengthen India's overall road safety and disaster response system.

3. Major Gaps in Implementation

Despite the Supreme Court's clear guidelines, many states have not fully implemented the recommended road safety measures. Only a limited number of states have established grievance mechanisms for Good Samaritans, while several still lack standardized rescue protocols and trauma registries. GPS tracking is unavailable or only partially functional in many government ambulances. These shortcomings delay emergency response and reduce the effectiveness of life-saving interventions during the critical Golden Hour. Experts believe that improving coordination, funding, digital infrastructure, and policy implementation is essential for ensuring that road accident victims receive timely and efficient medical assistance throughout the country.

4. Top Eight States with the Highest Road Deaths

According to recent road accident statistics, eight Indian states account for nearly two-thirds of the country's total road fatalities. Uttar Pradesh records the highest number of deaths, followed by Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh. These states require stronger implementation of emergency care systems due to their high accident burden. Factors contributing to high fatalities include heavy traffic, poor road conditions, speeding, inadequate emergency response, and delayed medical treatment. Strengthening ambulance networks, trauma care facilities, and public awareness campaigns can significantly reduce road deaths in these high-risk states.

5. State Compliance Snapshot

The compliance status of India's major states shows considerable variation in implementing the Supreme Court's road safety measures. Some states have partially integrated emergency services, while others have established trauma registries or GPS-enabled ambulance systems. However, many still lack Good Samaritan grievance mechanisms, complete rescue protocols, or fully functional emergency dashboards. This uneven implementation creates disparities in emergency healthcare across the country. Experts recommend uniform adoption of all five measures, better monitoring by central and state governments, increased investment in emergency medical infrastructure, and regular performance evaluations to ensure that every accident victim receives timely and effective care.