Reducing Fatalities by 50% by 2020 – Where are we Heading?

Reducing Fatalities by 50% by 2020 – Where are we Heading?

Reducing Fatalities by 50% by 2020 – Where are we Heading?

Are our roads safe? Are we doing enough to make our roads safe? As a signatoryto Brasilia Declaration (Nov 2015), India is committed to reduce the number of road accidents and fatalities by 50% by 2020. But the big question is
have we been able to or are we proceeding towards that vision? Well the answer is a BIG NO. Road traffic crash related deaths and injuries in India have become a very big concern for our country which registers for more than 10 per cent of the global road crash fatalities. As per the recent report released by Ministry of Road Transport and
Highways, a total of 480,652 road accidents took place in India in 2016, which resulted in the loss of 150,785 human lives and left 494,625 injured. That means the country has around 55 road accidents every hour killing 17 people.

These fatalities have prompted a need for the amendment of the Motor Vehicle Act 1988. We and our partner organizations have been sensitizing the policymakers on the same which finally resulted in the drafting of the Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill 2017 which been passed by the Lok Sabha and is soon going to be introduced in the Rajya Sabha.

Risk Factors

The risk factors of speeding and drunken driving are not new and if you are living in a city like Delhi, you must have encountered these factors in your daily life. 73,896 people ie 49% people have been killed due to overspeeding in 2016 while 6,131 have been killed while driving under the influence of alcohol. Higher the speed, greater the risk of a severe crash and increases likelihood of serious injury or death specially for pedestrians, cyclists, and two-wheelers riders. On the other handimpairment due to alcohol consumption leads to poor
judgment, increased reaction time, lowered vigilance and decreased ability to see well.

Two Wheeler Deaths

India registers maximum road deaths among two-wheeler drivers and pillion riders. Maximum deaths in two-wheeler category are because of head injuries and not wearing helmet.In 2016, 52,500 (34.8%) fatalities were among two- wheeler drivers/riders.Not wearing helmet while driving or riding on a motorized two wheeler increases risk of head injury, severity and death while wearing a good-quality helmet can reduce risk of death from a road crash by 40% and severe injury by over 70%.

Seat Belt and Child Restraint System

Seat Belt and Child Restraint System are secondary safety measures but they are crucial ones nonetheless. They reduce risk of hitting interior of car or other passengers.In 2016, non-wearing of seat-belt caused 5638 deaths among vehicle drivers & passengers in India.

Mandatory use of child restraints (infant seat or child seat) can reduce child deaths by 54–80% in event of a crash.

But we will not be able to achieve what we have committed in Brasilia Declaration if these key issues are not addressed and this can only be possible if the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill is passed. The passage of the Bill is key to improve road safety and help India meet its target of reducing by half the
burden of road injuries and fatalities by 2020.

To fulfil India’s pledge to the UN, Consumer Voice is organising its Annual Road Safety Week in several cities in India along with the state partners from February 1-7, 2018 on the theme of “5 Days 5 Pledges- for Road Safety” from 1 to 7 February.Through our events and workshops we will be focusing on Speed, Drunk Driving,Helmet, Seat belts and Child restraints and hope to spread the message of road safety to one and all.

World Day of Remembrance ( WDR ) for road accident victims

World Day of Remembrance ( WDR ) for road accident victims

World Day of Remembrance ( WDR ) for road accident victims

World Day of Remembrance ( WDR ) for Road accident victims – Lucknow

Our state partner in Uttar Pradesh -Consumers Guild has successfully organized rally in Lucknow ,UP. People from walks of life participated in this rally which passed through Swasthya Bhawan,Commissioners office ,transport gate and ended at Shaeed Samarak.

Ex-State Minister Mr.Nanakdev Bhurji, lawyers of High Court People from BJP, Samajwadi Party , and eminent persons from lawyers community, consumer organisations also participated in the rally and demanded for strong laws and safer roads. Click here to view Media Coverages

World Day of Remembrance ( WDR ) for Road accident victims – Panchkula

To mark the World Day of Remembrance (WDR) for road accident victims Consumer VOICE, New Delhi along with its state partner Citizen Awareness Group Haryana organized a walkathon to spread the awareness on WDR based on the theme of “2020 Target: Reduce Road Fatalities and Serious Injuries by 50%.”

A human chain was created and peace march was held at Sector-5 Panchkula On November 19 to spread the awareness on WDR based on the theme of “2020 Target: Reduce Road Fatalities and Serious Injuries by 50%.” This annual event represents a significant opportunity to call attention to the road safety situation. The peace march held at Panchkula was also aimed at demanding immediate passage of the Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill-2017 in the coming winter session of Parliament.
Prominent people at the event included political leader Ranjeeta Mehta, Consumer Federation Haryana, S K Nayyar and  Sushma Khanna ,Women Welfare Trust.

Surinder Verma, Chairman, Citizen Awareness Group said  “In the state Haryana in the state of Haryana alone 11,234 road crashes, 10,531 injuries and 4,463 road fatalities took place in the year 2016 as per the report released by MoRTH. These casualties may include thousands of innocent children and youth into their productive years of life. This is a massacre on the roads. The passage of Bill is crucial in the upcoming session.”

The memorandum was submitted to the Transport Minister and Transport Commissioner of Haryana and a copy to Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways.
Amarjeet Singh who represented Consumer Voice said “The Road Safety bill promised by government is yet to see the light of say, We urge the government to pass the motor vehicle amendment bill 2017 in the next session of Parliament”. Around 100 people participated in the ‘Walk for safer roads’ to mark the World Day of Remembrance (WDR) for road accident victims.

The event was covered by the press and media.

World Day of Remembrance (WDR) for Road Accident Victims – Jaipur

To mark the World Day of Remembrance for road accidents victims, Consumer VOICE New Delhi, along with Rajasthan Police, Road Safety Cell, Department of Transport, Govt. of Rajasthan, Jaipur Traffic Police and Centre for Road Safety, Sardar Patel University organized a walkathon on November 19, 2017. The walkathon which started form Traffic Park, Shastri Nagar, Jaipur was in partnership with national and international organizations including FIA Foundation, NCC, NSS, Department of Lifelong Learning, University of Rajasthan, Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety and Bhartiya Manav Kalyan Samiti, People’s Trust, CUTS FIA Foundation, NCC, NSS, Department of Lifelong Learning, University of Rajasthan, Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety and Bhartiya Manav Kalyan Samiti, People’s Trust, and CUTS.

Walkathon in Jaipur

The event witnessed participation of more than 700 people including Mrs. S. Parimala, Superintendent of Police (Traffic).  Members from National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), NGOs, Traffic Police and also from victims’ family joined the event. Ms. Prerna Arora, Centre Coordinator, Centre for Road Safety spoke about the importance of the UN World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims which is organized on the 3rd Sunday of November every year.

World Day of Remembrance

Mr. Rajneesh, Public Relation Officer of the Department of Transport, Rajasthan also shared his life’s major incident when his journalist wife met with an accident. In the remembrance of passed souls, white balloons were floated in the sky by Mrs. S. Parimala, Superintendent of Police (Traffic) along with other dignitaries viz Sh. Aswini Bagga, Dr. Maya Tandon, Ms. Shilpa, and Additional SP, Traffic Police. They also shared their thoughts on the importance of Road Safety. Mrs. Indra, Sub-Inspector and In-charge of Education Cell of Jaipur Traffic Police informed about the various road safety norms and importance of safety gears such as helmets and seat belts.

A small rally for awareness among the general public was also organized by the NCC and NSS corps and a pledge to all was carried out by Ms Indra at the end of the event.

World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims – Noida

To mark the World Day of Remembrance (WDR) for Road traffic Victims Consumer VOICE along with its state partner, Bhartiya Manav Kalyan Samiti, Noida organized a walkathon on 19th November in Noida.

Walkathon organised by Consumer VOICE and Bhartiya Manav Kalyan Samiti, Noida 

People from all walks of life assembled at the Community Center of Sector 23, Noida for the walkathon. Sri A. K. Singh, Superintendent of Police, Noida flagged-off the rally. He asked for greater awareness on traffic rules and also all the citizens to adhere to the traffic rules.

Sri Hemant Upadhaya, Advisor Consumer VOICE who was also present for the occasion reiterated that Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill 2017 should be urgently cleared. He hoped that in the coming winter session of the Parliament it will be passed.

World Day of Reemembrance

Sri S.C.Sharma, President Bhartiya Manav Kalyan Samiti mentioned the deaths that one witnesses every day on Indian roads. He urged that we should feel and understand that traffic rules are for own safety. He also demanded the quick clearance of the MVA Bill 2017.

This peaceful march through main road covering a distance of about two kilometer reached Noida Stadium at Gate Number 4 where Sri M.K Singh City Magistrate received the memorandum and assured that suitable action will be taken in this regard.

Children Participating in Walkathon in Noida

There were nearly 200 participants comprising students, eminent persons including presidents of Residents Welfare Associations and respectable citizens of Noida Associations, Advocates, and Media Persons. The Event ended after refreshment to participants.
The event was also well covered by the press and media.

World Day of Remembrance ( WDR ) for Road accident Victims-Chandigarh

To mark the World Day of Remembrance (WDR) for road accident victims Consumer VOICE, New Delhi along with its state partner Citizen Awareness Group Chandigarh and Chandigarh Police organized a walk at Children’s Park, Sector 23, on November 19, 2017 to demand safer roads for all.

The ‘Walk for Safer Roads’ which was attended by 250 people was followed by a candlelight march which saw the participation of social activists, personnel of Chandigarh Police, Traffic Police, scores of students of MCM College and Home Science College.

Walk for Safer Roads in Chandigarh

DSP Traffic, Rajeev Ambasta delivered a talk and gave detailed information on traffic rules. Motivational speaker and Traffic Marshal, Mohinder Kour Kataria spoke on the significance of the day.

On this occasion, Surinder Verma, Chairman Citizen Awareness Group said that “this is the third year in a row that we are observing this day in remembrance of Road Traffic Victims with the support of Consumer Voice Delhi which is also working tirelessly to raise the demand for early passage of Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill 2017.”

Candle Light March in Chandigarh

Chandigarh alone witnessed 428 road crashes, 329 injuries and 151 road fatalities in the year 2016 as per the report released by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). These casualties include thousands of children and youth into their productive years of life. The passage of Bill is crucial in the upcoming session.

Amarjeet Singh Advisor, Consumer Voice said that the Road Safety Bill promised by the government is yet to see the light and we urge the government to pass the Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill 2017 in the next session of Parliament.

WDR in Chandigarh

The memorandum was submitted to the Transport minister and Transport Commissioner of Punjab and a copy to Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways.

Online Coverage:

The event was covered by various print and electronic media.

World Day of Remembrance(WDR) Noida, UP

World Day of Remembrance(WDR) Noida, UP

World Day of Remembrance(WDR) Noida, UP

Consumer VOICE in collaboration with its state partner Bhartiya Kalyan Samiti organising a walkathon for safer roads on World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims in Noida, UP on November19, 2017.The WDR is commemorated on the third Sunday of November each year.

Reducing Fatalities by 50% by 2020 – Where are we Heading?

Help Road Crash Victims without Fear – SC Issues Guidelines on Protecting Good Samaritans

Help Road Crash Victims without Fear – SC Issues Guidelines on Protecting Good Samaritans

‘Man bleeds to death on Delhi road after hit and run case’ or ‘Accident victim left to bleed and die in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram’ these are a few headlines that we get to read almost every day. Other than rash and negligent driving and not following traffic rules, one of the main reasons for high rate of road accident deaths in India is the inability of the victims to receive timely medical attention. The Law Commission of India Report of 2006, states that ‘at least 50 per cent of the fatality can be averted if the victims are admitted to a hospital within the first one hour.’ A World Health Organisation (WHO) report also states that ‘even the most sophisticated and well equipped prehospital trauma care system can do little if bystanders fail to recognize the seriousness of a situation, call for help and provide basic care until help arrives.’

A major impediment to victims getting timely help is the panic among bystanders that they could get entangled in legal procedures. This is the reason why a ‘Good Samaritan’ legal protection is essential. Though the Parliament hasn’t passed any such law but on March 30, 2016, thanks to the Supreme Court of India, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued guidelines for the protection of Good Samaritans.

The guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court include the following:

1.     If you are a Good Samaritan you will be treated respectfully and without any discrimination on the grounds of gender, nationality, religion, and caste.

2.     The Good Samaritan shall be allowed to leave by the police after having received all the necessary inputs

3.     The Good Samaritan can keep his or identity secret and shall not be compelled to reveal any details.

4.     Any individual, except an eyewitness, who calls the police to inform them of an accidental injury or death need not reveal his or her personal details such as full name, address or phone number.

There are several provisions in case a Good Samaritan wants to become a witness to the road accident. He or she would be treated with respect and care and the examination of questioning of the Good Samaritan shall be conducted at the convenience of the Good Samaritan. The Good Samaritan if called at the police station he or she would be examined in a single examination within a reasonable time-frame.

Though these guidelines are a welcome relief, but much more needs to be done to motivate people to become Good Samaritans. Proper sensitization is needed to encourage people to help road crash victims without fear and hesitance.

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