​​​​​​​2 in 3 Indians Concerned About Road Safety, Says Ipsos Global Survey

A majority of Indians remain concerned about road safety and support a broad set of interventions spanning enforcement, education, and infrastructure, according to the Ipsos Global Mobility Survey 2026.

The survey, conducted across 31 markets, found that 63% of respondents in India are concerned about road safety in their area. This level is higher than in countries such as South Korea and Germany, where concern stands at 36%, but lower than Peru, where it reaches 76%.

Public concern in India is accompanied by consistent support for multiple corrective measures. Around 63% of respondents favour stricter traffic laws, close to the global average of 66%. Support also extends to enhanced driver education programmes, backed by 62% of respondents, and reduced speed limits across residential streets, main roads, and highways. Similar levels of support were recorded for dedicated cycling lanes, pedestrian prioritisation in school zones, and road safety awareness campaigns.

The findings indicate that public opinion in India is not concentrated on a single solution but reflects support for a comprehensive approach combining enforcement, education, infrastructure upgrades, and behavioural interventions.

Globally, the survey highlights varying levels of support. Countries such as South Africa and Indonesia report support levels exceeding 80% across multiple measures, while countries with more established road safety systems, including Japan and Germany, show comparatively lower support, in some cases below 50%.

The survey comes amid increased policy focus on road safety in India, including initiatives such as the Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan 2026 led by Nitin Gadkari. The campaign is structured around four pillars—discipline, duty, protection, and behavioural change—and aims to position road safety as a shared responsibility.

Ipsos data also shows that 63% of respondents believe road safety advertising and communication are effective in reducing unsafe driving behaviour, highlighting the role of awareness campaigns alongside regulatory measures.

Balaji Pandiaraj, Group Service Line Leader, Automotive and Mobility Development and Customer Experience at Ipsos India, said the breadth of public support across measures aligns with the direction of national initiatives and presents an opportunity to translate sentiment into sustained behavioural change.

India records over 168,000 road fatalities annually, underscoring the scale of the challenge. The survey suggests that the convergence of public concern and policy focus could support accelerated efforts to improve road safety outcomes.

The Ipsos Global Mobility Survey covered 23,722 adults globally. In India, the sample included approximately 2,200 respondents, with a mix of face-to-face and online interviews.