Various ways to ensure road safety and reduce road fatalities were explored by Society for Automotive Fitness and Environment (SAFE) along with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and Transport Department during the 20th SAFE annual convention held here on Tuesday. The main aim of the convention was to discuss ways to curb accidents by 50 per cent by the year 2030. A ‘Driver Safe App’ was also launched for the same cause.
Minister of Transport Department CP Singh, who was the Chief Guest at the event, spoke about the prominent issues concerning road safety, like over-speeding, people riding without helmets, and underage driving. He also suggested many ways to ensure road safety. “Awareness about road safety has to be created on an individual level. Car showrooms in the city should install automatic testing centres. Law enforcers should also understand that they are not exempted from traffic rules. And at the end of the day, we have to ensure that the ideas discussed are implemented properly on the ground,” he said.
During the event, ‘Driver Safe App’, an app that aims to improve driver behaviour was launched. “The App is programmed to promote good drivers, and will help in incentivising safe driving,” said SAFE Vice-President Anupam Shrivastava. More than 1.4 lakh lives are lost every year in road accidents. The age group of 18-34, which is also the major workforce and an asset to the country, is the most vulnerable when it comes to road accidents.
The four Es of road safety – Education, Enforcement, Engineering, and Emergency were discussed in detail during the event. Neeru Sachdeva, Road Safety Expert, Gyan Mandir Public School, New Delhi spoke about creating a culture of traffic awareness and road safety in kids from a young age. “We have created a Road Safety Club in our school, under which we organise workshops, plays, flash mobs, movie screenings and games on road safety that help children become more aware about the dangers on the road,” she said.
SP (Traffic) Ranchi Ajit Peter Dungdung spoke about the importance of surveillance and the efforts of the police in enforcement of rules. Anil Chikkara, MLO Delhi Transport Department spoke about the ongoing reforms of RTOs in Delhi. “We have automated driving test tracks to ease driving license tests. Automated vehicle testing is also done, under which all the parameters of any vehicle can be tested within 15 to 20 minute,” he said.
