Organised by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, National Road Safety Week aims to spread awareness around road safety India is home to 1 per cent of world’s vehicles, while it accounts for almost 10 per cent of all crash related deaths. Pic/iStock Every year, National Road Safety Week is observed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways from January 11 to January 17.
According to “Traffic Crash Injuries and Disabilities: The Burden on Indian Society”, a report published by the World Bank in 2021, road accident deaths in India are among the highest in the world. To outline the nature of the roads, it is important to note that India is home to only 1 per cent of world’s vehicles, while it accounts for almost 10 per cent of all crash related deaths.
Needless to say, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists are among the least protected, and account for nearly half of the deaths, as per the World Bank report. Road safety is a matter of public health concern, and of significant importance to the government.
With the goal of reducing the number of accidents due to speeding, potholes, carelessness, and drunk driving, this awareness week is organised every year. During the course of the week, various activities are organised across the nation with the aim of creating, and spreading awareness among the masses, and to allow stakeholders at all levels to participate and contribute to this cause.
ADVERTISEMENT History of National Road Safety Week The first National Road Safety Week was organized in 1989 by the National Safety Council which was established by the Ministry of Labour in 1966. In 2023, the National Road Safety Week is in its 34 th edition.
Theme of National Road Safety Week 2023 While the theme of last year’s road safety week was ‘Sadak Suraksha – Jeevan Raksha’ and focussed on how safety on roads equates to life longevity, the theme of National Road Safety Week 2023 is ‘Parvah krenge surakshit rahenge’ to promote the cause of safer roads for all.
Initiatives and activities According to the press release issued by the government, numerous activities across educational institutions, and students have been planned. Essay writing, and poster making competitions for school students, exhibitions, and theatre done by non-governmental organisations and public sector undertakings are all scheduled.
The goal is to reach out to as many drivers and road users in general. The ministry is engaging the public with activities such as street plays, as well as sensitisation campaigns at multiple locations in New Delhi. Interactions, and walks with senior officers are also scheduled to be held at Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi.
Road owning agencies including National Highways Authority of India, and National Highways, and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited are organising special drives pertaining to compliance of traffic rules and regulation, as well as pedestrian safety, eye check-up camps for drivers.
Contents
What are the slogans for road safety Week 2023?
National Road Safety Week 2023: Quotes –
“Safety First is Safety Always.” – Charles M. Hayes “Government’s first duty and highest obligation is public safety.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger “Nothing is of greater importance that the conservation of human life.” – Calvin Coolidge “Safety is 30% Common Sense, 80% Compliance and the rest is good luck.” – Barry Spud “The speedway ends at the cemetery.” – Unknown
Read all the Latest Auto News here
What is the theme of road safety Week in India?
The theme for the year 2023 is ‘ Sadak Suraksha Jeevan Raksha ‘. The aim is to raise public awareness about traffic rules. The campaign emphasizes various measures that people should take to comply with the government’s safety regulations and, as a result, keep themselves and their loved ones safe.
Why do we celebrate safety Week in India?
The National Safety Council is an NGO that works to raise awareness about road safety, human health safety, and environmental safety protocols. National Safety Day is celebrated every year on March 4. – Agencies National Safety Day is celebrated every year on March 4. The main goal of the day is to highlight safety measures and ensure that people are aware of them and follow them in order to avoid workplace accidents. In India, the 4th of March also marks the start of National Safety Week,
What are 4 slogans on road safety?
Examples – Here are some examples of some great road safety slogans you can use:
Friends don’t let friends drive drunk Don’t text and drive Slow down, save lives No belt, no excuse Click it or ticket Drive sober or get pulled over Stay alive, don’t drink and drive Road safety is no accident Alert today, alive tomorrow Stop, look, and listen Stop accidents before they stop you Drive with reason this holiday season Think and Drive, Stay Alive Drive for safety Normal speed meets every need Follow traffic rules, save your future Better late than never! Driving tip of the day – yield the right of way Avoid death – use your seatbelt! A fast drive could be your last drive Road safety rules are your best tools Accidents don’t happen; they are caused Speed kills Booze it and lose it
What is a unique slogan for road safety?
Safety first, speed next. Slow down; it’s not going anywhere. Drive to survive, don’t drink and drive. Don’t be a fool; respect the traffic rules.
What are the road safety issues in India?
For Current Affairs Magazine Yearly Subscription. ( Click Here ) NEXTIAS is now at BHOPAL. ( Click Here ) GS: First Step – NCERT Based Course for IAS after Class 10+2. ( Click Here ) Important Contact Numbers and Email Addresses. ( Click Here )
Context
The recent death of former Tata Group chairman Cyrus Mistry in an road accident again spotlighted the high numbers of fatalities that Indian roads witness every year.
Status of Road Accidents in India
As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, there are around 1.5 lakh deaths on India’s roads every year, of which one third are accounted for by National Highways.
Though India accounts for about 1% of motor vehicles globally, it records more than 11% of road traffic deaths. Lancet Report: India accounts for almost 10% of all crash-related deaths, while accounting for only 1% of the world’s vehicles.
What are the major causes of Road Accidents?
Over speeding and undisciplined driving: Approx 50000 accidents in India are on account of over speeding. Motorization and Urbanisation: Are also the main causes of road crash fatalities. Faulty road designs: Lack of caution signs, big potholes, illegal speed breakers. Weak Vehicle safety standards in India: Ineffective and inefficient road regulations: Due to lack of caution signs, big potholes, illegal speed breakers. Encroachment of road: Unruly road congestion caused by hawkers disrupts normal movements of vehicles. Laxity in driving license regulations: Lax procedure in obtaining a driving license Inefficient public transport: The paucity of end to end public transport and its inefficiencies in India leads to the public opting for private vehicles.
Impact of Road Accidents
Social effects of Road Traffic Accidents: Include loss of productivity of the victims, the cost of the legal system, burden on the health sector and loss of quality of life. Economic Effect: As per UN report, reducing road traffic deaths and injuries could result in substantial long-term income gains (Fair movement of goods, Logistics).
India loses 3% of its GDP due to road accidents.
Burden on Women: About 40% of women reported a change in their working patterns post-accident (More responsibility, more burden of family)
Lancet study on Road
Steps taken to check vehicle speed on roads in India could alone have the biggest impact on ensuring road safety. Focusing on four key risk factors such as speeding, drunk driving, non-use of crash helmets and seatbelts. Steps undertaken to reduce speeding such as infrastructure changes and electronic speed control could save an estimated 3,47,258 lives globally each year.
Laws and Initiatives
Global Initiatives:
Brasilia Declaration on Road Safety (2015): Adopted at the second global high-level conference on road safety held in Brazil. (India signatory to this) International Road Assessment programme (iRAP): A registered charity dedicated to saving lives through safer roads. Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 : Sets an ambitious target of preventing at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. Geneva Convention : India, being a signatory to Convention on International Road Traffic of 1949 (Geneva Convention).
Indian:
Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act: The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 was brought in to improve road safety in India by amending Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The amendment Act has introduced heavy fines for various offences 3-Year Action Agenda of NITI Aayog: Highlighting the Standardizing the reporting of accidents & action map thereafter.
Way Ahead to Mitigate the Road Accidents
Education and awareness about road safety measures. Strict regulation & Enforcement of Law (Opting latest technology like RF Speed detections). Vehicle design and Road infrastructure need to be as per the safety standards. Proper training & capacity building is the need of the hour.
Source: IE
What is road safety in India?
Road Safety Tips Everyone Should Follow – Below are some road safety tips that everyone should follow:
Road safety rules and regulations state that you should never use a mobile phone while driving. Wear seatbelts and helmets. Walk carefully on the sidewalks and only cross on the zebra crossing. Be careful of speed limits. Never drink and drive. Take care of citizens, children and pedestrians.
In conclusion, road safety rules are a highly vital part of civilised living. It is important that every citizen knows and abides by the rules that the government sets. Even children and teenagers should be educated and made aware of the road regulations in a country.
Why is safety important in India?
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. In today’s world road and transport has become an integral partof every human being. Every body is a road user in one shape or the other. The present transport system has minimized the distances but it has on the other hand increased the life risk.
- Every year road crashes result in loss of lakhs of lives and serious injuries to crores of people.
- In India itself about eighty thousand people are killed in road crashes every year which is thirteen percent of the total fatality all over the world.
- Man behind the wheel plays an important role in most of the crashes.
In most of the cases crashes occurs either due to carelessness or due to lack of road safety awarenessof the road user. Hence, road safety education is as essential as any other basic skills of survival. Our aim is to provide road safety information for road users to encourage safer road user behaviour among current and prospective road users and reduce the number of people killed and injured on our roads every year.
What is the special day of 4 March in India?
National Safety Day is observed every year in India on March 4 to generate awareness and commitment to working safely. It is aimed at renewing the commitment of employees and the general public to work safely throughout the year.
What is a positive quote about safety?
‘ Safety doesn’t happen by accident.’ – Author unknown. ‘When safety is first, you last.’ – Author unknown. ‘Check yourself before you wreck yourself.’ – Author unknown. ‘Accidents hurt, safety doesn’t.’ – Author unknown.
Which organization is responsible for promoting and observing National Safety Day in India?
The National Safety Day is an important event as it serves as a reminder of the importance of safety and health in our daily lives, especially in the workplace. – The National Safety Day is celebrated every year on March 4 in India. It is an important day that aims to raise awareness about the importance of safety and health in the workplace and to promote a culture of safety among the general public.
History The National Safety Council (NSC) of India, a non-profit, non-governmental organisation, was established on March 4, 1966, and the National Safety Day was first observed in 1972. The NSC was set up with the objective of promoting safety and health at work, preventing accidents and creating a safe and healthy work environment.
The council works closely with various industries, government bodies, and other organizations to create awareness about safety and health issues. Significance The National Safety Day is an important event as it serves as a reminder of the importance of safety and health in our daily lives, especially in the workplace.
- It aims to create awareness about the risks and hazards associated with various occupations and industries and the measures that can be taken to prevent accidents and injuries.
- Occupational safety is crucial in India as it protects workers from harm, promotes productivity, reduces healthcare costs, increases compliance with regulations, and improves employee morale.
It is important for employers to implement effective safety measures to achieve these benefits. The day also provides an opportunity to highlight the role of employers, employees, and the government in ensuring a safe and healthy work environment. It encourages individuals and organizations to take responsibility for their safety and health.
