At the 8th Road Safety Conference organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), Ajay Tamta, Minister of State for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, highlighted the critical issue of road accidents as a major cause of fatalities in India.
Addressing the session, Tamta reiterated the government’s commitment to raising awareness about road safety and reviewing safety standards in the design of both rural and urban roads. He announced a new knowledge-sharing platform hosted by the National Highways Authority of India, aimed at exchanging best practices and innovative ideas on road design, construction, safety, and environmental sustainability.
Tamta also discussed various types of accidents and their prevalence under different conditions and road types. He stressed the importance of designing future roads to prevent accidents and highlighted the annual impact of road incidents, including permanent damage and fatalities.
Commending ASSOCHAM for organising the conference, Tamta appreciated the inclusion of diverse stakeholders, especially young children, in the event. He also acknowledged ASSOCHAM’s road safety initiative in collaboration with the BMW India Foundation, which has been running in schools to promote road safety awareness.
Shive Keshari Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic, HQ), Delhi Police, provided insights into the occurrence of accidents, noting that most happen at night. He urged drivers to be vigilant and emphasised the importance of road safety. Singh highlighted that two-wheelers and pedestrians account for more than 75% of accidents, underscoring the need for increased awareness and caution.
Delivering the welcome address, Anil Rajput, Chairperson of ASSOCHAM National CSR Council, emphasised the severity of road safety issues, stating, “Road safety is a critical issue that impacts all of us. Every year, millions of lives are lost or irreversibly altered due to road accidents. Enhancing driving skills, raising awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving, and disseminating information on vehicle maintenance can play a pivotal role in reducing accidents.”
Mihir Shah, Head of Operations at Swiggy, underscored the importance of a collective effort to improve road safety. He highlighted Swiggy’s ‘Delivering Safely Charter,’ which incorporates advanced safety technologies, comprehensive road safety training, and robust emergency response systems for delivery partners.
During the industry address, Prabhu Nagaraj, Operating Officer of Corporate Affairs at Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt Ltd, discussed Honda’s initiatives in road safety and training. He emphasised the company’s commitment to improving mobility performance, the traffic ecosystem, and human ability through extensive programs designed to instil road safety awareness among students.
Concluding the event, Vinod Pandey, ASSOCHAM Chairman National Council on Manufacturing & Capital Goods and Director of Government & External Affairs at BMW India, stressed BMW Group’s commitment to putting safer cars on the road. He requested policy support from the government, such as the delicensing of frequency bands to enable the introduction of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in India, and the consideration of lowering taxes for 5-Star NCAP rated vehicles.