New Delhi: The MoRTH Secretary urged volunteers to prioritise road accident prevention to reduce fatalities and improve safety outcomes across the country.
Speaking at the conclusion of a training programme, Secretary V Umashankar stressed that preventing accidents should take precedence over post-incident response. He said identifying root causes can help avoid repeat incidents.
The three-day workshop for Sadak Suraksha Mitra volunteers was organised by the Centre of Excellence for Road Safety at IIT Madras. It was held from March 16 to 18 in Faridabad with participation from 53 volunteers.
During the programme, participants were trained in first response, road safety audits and administrative support for district-level initiatives. As a result, the initiative aims to build a youth-driven road safety movement.
The Secretary said road accidents remain a leading cause of death, especially among young people. Therefore, even saving a single life should be considered a major achievement.
Road accident prevention targets high-risk areas and awareness
Meanwhile, the Secretary highlighted that nearly 45% of fatalities involve two-wheelers. He noted that non-use of helmets is a major contributing factor.
In addition, about 20% of deaths involve pedestrians, pointing to gaps in infrastructure and safety measures. As a result, he called for better awareness campaigns and improved road design.
He also urged volunteers to adopt a problem-solving approach. Each accident should be analysed individually to identify causes and recommend solutions.
The government has already identified 100 high-risk districts for targeted interventions. Moreover, volunteers have been asked to work closely with district authorities to implement safety measures.
The Secretary called on participants to act as road safety champions in their communities. He added that consistent efforts can bring measurable improvements in the coming months.
