Stakeholders’ Consultation on Road Safety

Stakeholders’ Consultation on Road Safety

by | Oct 1, 2019 | Global Road Safety Initiative

Stakeholders’ Consultation on Road Safety

In order to strengthen road safety, Consumer VOICE in association with its state partners of Lucknow, Guwahati and Chandigarh organized stakeholders’ consultation in these cities. The six pillars of road safety were stressed in all the consultations which help in reducing road accidents.

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh


Consumer VOICE along with its state partner Consumer Guild organised a stakeholder’s consultation to strengthen road safety in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh on 19th Sep 2019. Purendra Singh, SP, Traffic was the chief guest of the programme. He welcomed the amended act and sought cooperation from all the road users for effective implementation. Vidisha Singh, regional transport officer (enforcement), welcomed the act and told that in Uttar Pradesh road safety cell is dedicated towards meeting the objective. She further said, the state government is taking road safety seriously and working towards reduction in crashes.

Deepak Nigam, a retired district additional judge appreciated the efforts taken up by the Supreme Court committee. The event consultation mainly focused on the six vital pillars of road safety which are seen as the best global practice to reduce road casualties. Ashim Sanyal, COO, Consumer VOICE presented the salient features of the new Act and discussed various comparable amendments related to road safety. Abhishek Shrivastava, chairperson, Consumers Guild appealed to all to cooperate for effective implementation of the amended act to save precious lives lost in crashes. The event was well attended by relevant officials, communities and garnered good media coverage also.

Guwahati, Assam


In Guwahati, Assam a stakeholder’s consultation was organized on 6th September by Consumer Legal Protection Forum supported by Consumer VOICE. Prasanta Saikia, DCP-Traffic, commissionerate of Police, Guwahati, Gautam Das, district transport officer, Kamrup (R), Joysing Rongphar, MVI, Kamrup and Bikram Gogoi, enforcement inspector, were present. They expressed their views on the present road safety scenario and welcomed the new act. Commenting on the issue, Das said, “We were following the Central Government MVA 1988 and also have Assam Motor Vehicles Rules 2003 which also includes the major road safety risk factors. We will follow and include the new amended rules by MVA 2019 to make stringent enforcements.”

The consultation mainly focused on the six vital pillars of road safety which are seen as the best global practice to reduce road casualties. Ashim Sanyal, COO, Consumer VOICE presented the salient features of the new Act and discussed various comparable amendments related to road safety. Rinki Sharma from Consumer VOICE team shared details about six pillars of road safety and new provisions, amended laws etc. Ajoy Hazarika, secretary, Consumer Legal Protection Forum also shared thoughts on the quick adoption of the new Act. Representatives of consumer organizations, police officials and traffic police officials, media persons and organizations working on road safety participated in the consultation. This initiative was also lauded by all relevant stakeholders and the event received very good media coverage.

Chandigarh

Consumer VOICE along with its state partner Citizen Awareness Group, Chandigarh organized a stakeholder’s consultation at Chandigarh on 30th August 2019. The stakeholders’ workshop had effectively covered the implementation of MVAA 2019 and created awareness on road safety pillars.  Shri Virat, Registering and Licensing Authority of Chandigarh graced the workshop as key speaker. He welcomed the MVAA 2019 and explained various amendments related to registration and licensing. He explained that besides penalties, these clauses are also very important for road users to know.

The consultation mainly focused on the six vital pillars of road safety which are seen as the best global practice to reduce road casualties. Ashim Sanyal, COO, Consumer VOICE presented the salient features of the new Act and discussed various comparable amendments related to road safety. Discussion also took place on the six pillars of road safety and new provisions, amended laws etc. Surender Verma, chairperson, Consumer Legal Protection Forum also presented his thoughts on quick adoption of the new Act.  Consumer VOICE and Citizen Awareness Group urged the government for speedy notification. The program was largely attended by transport and traffic police officials, students, media, CSOs and activist working on road safety. Like the other initiatives, this was also covered well by distinguished media houses.

National Workshop on Road Safety – 19th June, New Delhi

National Workshop on Road Safety – 19th June, New Delhi

by | Jun 22, 2018 | Global Road Safety Initiative

National Workshop on Road Safety – 19th June, New Delhi

Number of people killed in road accidents in India is 2nd highest globally, which is almost 1.5 lakhs per year. This translates into 17 people dying every hour. Another 5 lakhs are seriously injured in road crashes. Road crashes account for more than 44% of all un-natural accidental deaths in India and 51% of all those killed between the ages of 18 and 30.

With the basic aim to save human lives on road in India, Consumer Voice organized a workshop on 19th June, 2018 to appeal to the members of the  Parliament in‘Making Road Safety a National Priority’. The initiative focused on the 30 year old Motor Vehicles Act 1988 which require immediate amendment to address tremendous changes in the road safety scenario in India.

The workshop which was held in the Constitution Club in New Delhi was led by Member of Parliament, Shri Parvesh Verma, road crashes victims and their families members, Civil Society Organizations, Member of Parliament and partner organizations of road safety coalition highlighted the terrible state of road safety in our country. The participants jointly signed a memorandum to Hon’ble Prime Minister, Hon’ble Vice President, Hon’ble President and Hon’ble Chief Justice of India to make Road Safety as National Priority. The initiative was supported by Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal, Member of Parliament, Shri Abhay Damle, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways highlighted the provisions of the MVA 2017 Bill. Para Olympian, Jagwinder Singh and Singer Kalpana Chauhan along with over 20 victims from across India.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. AshimSanyal COO, Consumer VOICE, said, “Every crash leaves an indelible scar on the family and the community, but the daily crashes are making society numb and reducing these to just statistics. We have therefore brought together survivors of horrific road crashes and their families to tell their tales along with civil society organizations to join together in our appeal.”

Shri Parvesh Verma, Member of Parliament who could not grace the occassion, showed his support through this statement. He stated, “I am the victim and faced the same situation like any other survivor present at the national event on road safety. As you know, my father (Former Chief Minister of Delhi Shri Sahib Singh Verma Ji) lost his life in a tragic road crash. Each and every life is important and we must do everything possible to save. Our Government under leadership of Modi Ji is trying its best for road safety and I am sure that the proposed Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill will strengthen the road safety situation in India. I am joining road crash survivors to appeal our Hon’ble Prime Minister to make road safety as a national priority and get the MVA Bill passed on priority.” A memento as an honor was given to victims who joined our hands for this initiative.

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Consumer Voice Urges Nitin Gadkri To Join Hands With The UN General Assembly In Their Resolution To Tackle Global Road Safety Problem

by | Apr 27, 2018 | Global Road Safety Initiative

Consumer Voice Urges Nitin Gadkri To Join Hands With The UN General Assembly In Their Resolution To Tackle Global Road Safety Problem

Road crashes kill more than 1.3 million people each year and in India the road traffic mortality is 16.6 per 100 000 population. As per the latest 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 people injured. India is losing per day more than 400 lives on roads.

Stressing that road traffic deaths and injuries remained a major public health and development problem with broad social and economic consequences. The international community has recognized road safety as a critical component of the global development agenda through the adoption of a resolution to improve global road safety at the United Nations General Assembly.

In wake of the United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) announcement to adopt a new resolution, Improving Global Road Safety, calling for strong and urgent global action to improve global road safety, Consumer Voice has written a letter to the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari asking him to follow suit and pass the long-pending road safety law in the upcoming session of parliament. The commitment by the United Nations to tackle these deaths through the Decade of Action on Road Safety and through the Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 3.6: reduce road deaths by 50 percent by 2020 and 11.2: provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all) are an indication of the action required.

“The road safety law is pending in the Parliament since one year. Each day delay is costing more than 400 Indians their lives in avoidable road crashes every day” says Mr. Ashim Sanyal, Chief Operating Officer, Consumer Voice. “With the adoption of the United Nations General Assembly resolution on road safety, Our government must join the UN and act to stop this public health crisis” adds Mr. Sanyal. Seeking for early passage of the road safety bill, there has been widespread media coverage by various national and local newspapers.

Adoption of the United Nations General Assembly resolution on road safety by India

by | Apr 14, 2018 | Global Road Safety Initiative

Road crashes kill more than 1.3 million people each year and in India the road traffic mortality rate m (per 100 000 population) is 16.6. 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 as per the report Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in 2017. These statistics gives us reason to worry and therefore not a surprise that road safety is recognised as a humanitarian crisis in the global scenario.

It is therefore not an exaggeration to say that road safety measures require immediate attention and despite several steps taken by the government, much needs to be done. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is all set to adopt a new resolution, Improving Global Road Safety, calling for strong and urgent global action to improve global road safety. The commitment by the United Nations to tackle these deaths through the Decade of Action on Road Safety and through the Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 3.6: reduce road deaths by 50 percent by 2020 and 11.2: provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all) are an indication of the action required.

With the adoption of the United Nations General Assembly resolution on road safety, India too needs to pass the Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill (2017) which is now pending in Rajya Sabha. The MVA Bill is the need of the hour and keeping this in mind it has urged the government for a speedy passage of the MVA Bill through its petition addressing the Hon’bl Prime Minister Mr. Narender Modi, Hon’ble Vice President Mr. Venkaiah Naidu, Mr. P.J. Kurien (Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha) and Mr Nitin Gadkari (Minister of Road Transport and Highways). The new MVA bill has strict penal provisions to arrest crashes, deaths and injuries on 5 scientifically identified areas.

Sign this petition to save precious lives

Consumer Voice is leading a coalition of road safety and consumer organisations who have been sensitizing both the policy makers and common men on the importance of road safety and the major risk factors that are responsible for road accidents. These include:

  • Helmet

    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%.

  • Speeding

73,896 people ie 49% people have been killed due to overspeeding in 2016. Speeding is one of the main reasons for road accidents especially in urban cities like Delhi and Mumbai.

  • Seat Belt

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.

  •  Drink and Driving

impairment due to alcohol consumption leads to poor judgment, increased reaction time, lowered vigilance and decreased ability to see well. 6,131 have been killed while driving under the influence of alcohol. In 2016.

  • Child Restraint

Child restraint systems, such as child seats for infants and booster seats for older children, decrease the risk of death in a crash by about 70% for infants and up to 80% for small children. 96 countries have already implemented a child restraint law. Mandatory child restraint laws and enforcement are effective in increasing the use of child restraints and the Indian government should think about this
seriously.

The UN Resolution on Improving Global Road Safety should be a wakeup call for the parliamentarians and India must join the United Nations and act to stop this public health crisis.  The passage of the MVA 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. Sign this petition to help make our Indian roads safe!

World Day of Remembrance ( WDR ) for road accident victims

World Day of Remembrance ( WDR ) for road accident victims

by | Dec 5, 2017 | Global Road Safety Initiative, WDR

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.

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