The Society for Automotive Fitness & Environment (SAFE), an initiative of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), organised its 25th SAFE Annual Convention 2024 in Bengaluru.
The convention brought together government officials, industry leaders, and experts to discuss key strategies aimed at promoting road safety, improving vehicle safety standards, and enhancing overall driving habits.
The event was attended by key dignitaries, including Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister of Karnataka as Chief Guest, and D K Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, as Guest of Honour. Dr Ramalinga Reddy, Transport Minister of Karnataka, and Dr N V Prasad, Secretary of Transport, Karnataka, also participated in the convention, along with several industry experts who shared insights into advancing road safety measures.
In his opening remarks, Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director of SIAM, welcomed the dignitaries and highlighted SIAM’s ongoing commitment to improving road safety in partnership with the Karnataka government. He emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts in reducing road accidents and fatalities across the state and the country.
Addressing the gathering, Siddaramaiah highlighted Karnataka's focus on road safety through infrastructure improvements and technology integration. He mentioned that traffic management systems in Bengaluru and Mysuru are being enhanced, alongside stricter enforcement of traffic laws. He also pointed to the state’s move toward sustainable transportation with the acquisition of 5,000 electric buses as part of the Shakti Scheme, marking Karnataka’s leadership in green mobility.
Shivakumar discussed Karnataka's growing population and vehicular congestion, particularly in Bengaluru. He emphasised the need for technological solutions, such as incorporating artificial intelligence into police and transport operations, to improve road safety. He also commended SIAM's efforts and called for continued collaboration between the industry and the state.
Ramalinga Reddy shared insights into the state’s advancements in transportation safety, including infrastructure improvements and plans for sustainable urban mobility. He also reiterated the government's commitment to reducing road fatalities through technological upgrades in emergency response systems.
A key highlight of the event was the unveiling of the SIAM SAFE Context Paper, 'Analysing India's Imperatives for Road Safety,' by Siddaramaiah. The document offers insights into India's readiness for improving road safety and the measures needed to make roads safer.
During the convention, several road safety initiatives were launched, including a Road Safety Education Slogan Competition organised by SIAM and the Karnataka Transport Department, a free eye check-up for 15,000 BMTC drivers, and a helmet awareness drive in collaboration with the Bengaluru Traffic Police and ICICI Lombard.
Additionally, ten individuals from the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), BMTC, the Education Department, and Bengaluru Traffic Police were recognized for their contributions to road safety.
In his address, Sushant Naik, President of SAFE and Global Head of Government & Public Affairs at Tata Motors Ltd, stressed the urgency of reducing road traffic deaths by 50% by 2030, as outlined by the United Nations. He emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach that incorporates education, engineering, enforcement, and emergency care, referencing successful road safety models from countries like Sweden and Norway.
Alok Jaitley, Vice President of SAFE and EVP at Maruti Suzuki India, also shared his perspectives on road safety, emphasising the need for industry-wide collaboration to address the challenges facing India’s transportation systems.
The convention featured multiple plenary sessions. The first session, titled 'Leadership in Road Safety: Innovations and Initiatives,' was chaired by Naveen Soni of Toyota Kirloskar Motor. Guest of Honour Dr N V Prasad discussed the role of education in road safety and how technological advancements, such as high-security registration plates (HSRP) and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), can reduce response times during accidents.
Kartick Nagpal, President, Rosmerta Technologies, stated “Technologies like HSRP, ATS, and telematics have the potential to be game-changers, but their true impact depends on effective enforcement, public engagement, and cross-industry collaboration.”
Presentations during the session included insights from industry experts on India’s road safety journey, testing agencies' roles in safety, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives aimed at improving road safety.
The second session, 'Emergency Response and Data-Driven Enforcement in Road Safety,' was chaired by M S Anand Kumar from TVS Motor Company. It included presentations on data-driven enforcement strategies, emergency response improvements, and CPR training to save lives during emergencies.
The third session, 'Technology and Innovation in Road Safety,' was moderated by Alok Jaitley and featured discussions on vehicle engineering, artificial intelligence, and innovations in road safety technology. Special guest Narain Karthikeyan, India’s first Formula 1 driver, shared his perspectives on the role of technology in enhancing road safety.
SIAM’s SAFE initiative has been instrumental in advancing sustainable transportation, promoting safer roads, and fostering the growth of new technologies in vehicle safety. The organisation continues to focus on various efforts such as electrification, promoting ethanol in transport, improving recycling practices, and supporting the development of gas and hydrogen-based mobility infrastructures.
The 25th SAFE Annual Convention served as a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas and forge new collaborations, with the ultimate goal of making India's roads safer and more efficient.
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