Neglect of traffic rules leading to high road accident fatalities in India: US expert

Tumakuru: Neglect of traffic rules and inadequate road safety measures are among the major reasons for the high number of road accident deaths in India, Dr Claudia Bouvier, Associate Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at a US university, said on Thursday.

Addressing the international conference STARCON-2026 organised by Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, she said a significant number of fatalities could be prevented by prioritising road construction standards and enforcing safety regulations.

She stressed the need to train doctors and paramedical personnel in handling emergency cases to reduce deaths and permanent disabilities resulting from accidents.

Bouvier called for the establishment of trauma care centres at all district and taluk headquarters in Karnataka, equipped with trained personnel to provide timely treatment to accident victims.

Referring to initiatives taken by the Sridevi Medical Institution in Tumakuru, she said the institution was training members of the public in providing initial assistance to accident victims before shifting them to hospitals. Such programmes should be replicated across all districts of the state to prevent avoidable deaths, she added.

Founder of Sridevi Group of Institutions Dr M R Hulinaykar said quick and appropriate decisions were crucial in saving lives during emergencies such as road accidents, severe bleeding, head injuries, heart attacks and strokes.

He emphasised the need for continuous training of doctors to handle emergency situations and said simulation-based training and skill laboratories could play an important role in improving their preparedness.

While technology had an important role in medical care, systems should be in place to ensure its effective use during emergencies, he said.

Hulinaykar also stressed the importance of a coordinated approach involving specialists from different disciplines, including anaesthesia, orthopaedics, neurology and cardiology, in managing critical cases.

The two-day conference included trauma care training for doctors and paramedical personnel. Medical experts from India and abroad participated and shared their experiences and views.