FASTags Set to Revolutionise Road Safety with Real-Time Accident Data Integration

In a key development towards enhancing road safety, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is set to integrate FASTags with real-time accident data from the e-DAR platform. This integration aims to proactively alert drivers about dangerous highway stretches using live inputs, offering crucial moments to respond and avoid mishaps.

e-DAR and iRAD to Power FASTag’s Smart Safety Push

The e-DAR system, designed to log accidents within seconds of occurrence digitally, will now collaborate with the FASTag network. Live accident records, mapped and geo-tagged by local police and fed into e-DAR, will be analysed by the ministry's Transport Research Wing. 

Using the Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD), emerging black spots will be identified swiftly and connected to FASTag data streams, enabling dynamic notifications for passing vehicles.

Understanding Highway Black Spots in India

Black spots are 500-metre stretches on highways with a history of at least 5 major accidents or 10 fatalities within 3 years. So far, MoRTH has pinpointed over 13,700 such locations nationally. Of these, 5,036 have undergone long-term corrective action. 

The new system will speed up the identification and remediation of new risky locations, potentially saving thousands of lives every year.

Accident Reporting Gaining Accuracy

Earlier, a mismatch between central and state police data slowed road safety measures. However, with e-DAR’s digital app usage, the discrepancy has fallen below 5%. For instance, while Punjab still shows data gaps, 4,759 fatalities recorded by TRW in 2024 versus only 533 on e-DAR, efforts are ongoing to synchronise better reporting mechanisms across all states.

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How FASTag Could Serve Beyond Toll Collection

In this enhanced role, FASTag could deliver real-time alerts to drivers via in-car voice systems or linked navigation apps while approaching black spots. This brings the possibility of timely warnings that help avoid crashes. Authorities are also exploring how the integration can improve emergency response time by tracking vehicle movement during an accident.

Conclusion

The integration of FASTag with e-DAR and iRAD signals a transformative step in India’s road safety mission. With over 13,700 black spots to manage, this technology-driven approach could play a crucial role in reducing fatalities and achieving MoRTH’s target of cutting road deaths by 50% by 2030.

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