Analysis of Road Accident Statistics for Females in India and Gaps in Safety Regulations

This paper investigates the current state of road safety for female occupants in India, with a particular focus on road accident statistics and the gaps in safety regulations. According to the Road Accident in India 2022 report by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), female occupants constitute 16% of passenger car fatalities. Leveraging a comprehensive dataset of 525 passenger car accidents involving at least one female occupant from the Road Accident Sampling System – India (RASSI), this study evaluates the severity and patterns of injuries sustained by female drivers and passengers. The analysis identifies critical shortcomings in existing safety measures, particularly in addressing anatomical disparities and male-centric safety designs. Gender-disaggregated injury trends reveal heightened vulnerabilities for women in crash scenarios, including disproportionate risks to the chest, neck, and pelvis. Current regulatory frameworks rely on crash test dummies developed on average male anthropometry, neglecting female-specific biomechanical needs in seatbelt fit, airbag deployment, and injury mitigation. Key gaps include the absence of standardized female-representative crash test dummies and insufficient anthropometric data on Indian women, which undermines the effectiveness of safety systems. To address these issues, the paper advocates for systematic gender-disaggregated data collection and integration of female-centric dummies in crash testing protocols. Policy recommendations emphasize the urgent need for gender-sensitive regulations and targeted anthropometric research to align safety measures with the physiological diversity of occupants. These steps are vital to reducing disparities in injury outcomes and fostering equitable road safety for women in India.