India’s road network and poor safety presents a major hazard. Low levels of seatbelt use by vehicle occupants in India has been identified as one of India’s road safety problems. Official data from the Indian Government states that 26,896 people died in road crashes in the country due to non-use of seatbelts in 2017. Of those who died, 16,876 were passengers. Meanwhile a further 61,942 people suffered injuries because they were not wearing seatbelts.
And children are amongst those particularly at risk on the Indian road network. According to new data, over 9,400 children were killed on their way either to or from school during 2017.
