India cracks down on reckless drivers and poor roads, govt’s new plan is ready

In a sweeping effort to curb road accidents and improve traffic discipline, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has unveiled a set of new measures with ab ain to target both reckless driving behaviour and poor road infrastructure,  two of the biggest contributors to India’s mounting road fatalities.

Psychological screening for repeat offenders

The government has directed all states and union territories to refer habitual traffic violators and drivers exhibiting “dangerous driving behaviour” for psychological assessment and counselling. The move is considered a significant policy shift from purely punitive measures such as fines or licence suspensions to addressing the underlying causes of reckless driving including stress, aggression and poor risk perception.

According to officials, the plan involves setting up a standardised framework under which repeat offenders will be flagged by enforcement agencies and referred to certified counsellors or psychologists. These professionals will evaluate the drivers and recommend corrective sessions or in extreme cases, suspension of driving privileges until behavioural improvements are demonstrated.

“This initiative aims to build a culture of responsible driving by identifying behavioural red flags early,” said a senior transport ministry official, adding that the programme will be integrated into the National Road Safety Strategy 2030.

Linking driver behaviour to insurance and licence renewals

The ministry is also developing a data-driven mechanism to capture driver behaviour and link it directly to critical regulatory processes such as insurance premiums, issuance and renewal of driving licences, and even vehicle registration status.

Using data collected through enforcement cameras, e-challan systems and digital transport platforms, authorities plan to create behavioural profiles for drivers. Those with consistent records of violations may face higher insurance premiums or delays in licence renewals, while safer drivers could benefit from incentives or reduced premiums.

Experts say this approach mirrors global best practices seen in countries like Singapore and the UK, where driver accountability systems have helped lower accident rates and encourage compliance. “Behaviour-based monitoring is essential to changing attitudes behind the wheel. Financial disincentives often work better than penalties alone,” said a senior transport policy analyst.

Contractors to face accountability for road crashes

In another major step, the government is also preparing to introduce a legal provision holding highway contractors accountable for crashes caused by faulty road design or substandard project implementation.

This is believed to be a crucial shift in India’s approach to road safety, which has traditionally focused on driver fault rather than infrastructure lapses. Poorly designed junctions, inadequate signage, missing guardrails and unsafe diversions have been cited as major causes of fatal crashes across national highways.

Under the proposed framework, engineering lapses or safety non-compliance identified during post-crash audits could result in financial penalties, suspension of future contracts or even criminal liability for contractors.

India’s road safety crisis

India records over 1.6 lakh road deaths annually, according to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data among the highest in the world. While human error accounts for more than 80% of crashes, poor infrastructure and lax enforcement remain chronic problems.

The government has already taken steps such as implementing stricter penalties under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, mandating seatbelt and helmet compliance and expanding the network of automated enforcement cameras. However, behavioural reform and accountability in project execution have long been missing pieces of the road safety puzzle.

A data-led, human-focused reform

The new strategy, combining behavioural monitoring, psychological intervention and infrastructure accountability, signals a more holistic approach to road safety. It aligns with India’s broader goal of halving road deaths by 2030, in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Officials said pilot programmes for psychological assessment and behavioural data tracking are expected to begin in select states by early 2026, before nationwide rollout. The ministry is also in talks with insurance companies and state transport departments to standardise the use of digital behavioural data in underwriting and policy renewals.

As India’s roads grow busier with expanding infrastructure and rising vehicle ownership, the government’s message is clear: safety is not just about speed limits but about accountability on the part of both drivers and those who build the roads they travel on.

With inputs from agencies