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Youth Must Lead Road Safety Drive as Two-Wheelers Cause 45% of Fatalities

Minister of State Harsh Malhotra highlighted that nearly 45% of India's annual 1.8 lakh road fatalities involve two-wheelers. He urged the youth to become ambassadors for road safety and lead by example in cultivating responsible habits. The minister credited infrastructure progress under PM Modi's leadership but emphasized that safety is a collective citizen responsibility. He outlined the ministry's 4E strategy and technological initiatives like AI monitoring to improve national road safety outcomes.

Key Points: 45% Road Deaths from Two-Wheelers, Minister Calls Youth as Safety Ambassadors

  • Two-wheelers involved in 45% of road deaths
  • Youth called to be road safety ambassadors
  • Ministry follows 4E Strategy: Engineering, Enforcement, Education, Emergency Care
  • Progress in fixing black spots and using AI monitoring
  • PM RAHAT and Rah-Veer schemes aid accident victims
2 min read

2‑wheelers account for 45 pc of road fatalities, youth should lead safety drive: Minister

Minister Harsh Malhotra reveals two-wheelers are involved in 45% of India's road fatalities, urges youth to lead safety awareness and adopt responsible habits.

"ensuring safety ultimately rests on the collective responsibility and conduct of citizens - Harsh Malhotra"

New Delhi, April 9

Road accidents continue to pose a major public safety concern in India, with nearly 1.8 lakh fatalities reported annually, with around 45 per cent of these fatalities involving two-wheelers, MoS, Road Transport and Highways, Harsh Malhotra said on Thursday calling on the youth, to act as ambassadors of road safety and lead by example.

Flagging off the 3rd Edition of the Uttarakhand Adventure Ride organised by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), Malhotra emphasised that road safety awareness initiatives are integral components of a larger national movement to foster responsible road usage across the country.

Malhotra credited the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India's remarkable strides in expanding and modernising its road infrastructure. However, he stated that ensuring safety ultimately rests on the collective responsibility and conduct of citizens.

He highlighted significant progress in improving road engineering, rectifying accident-prone black spots, strengthening enforcement through legislative measures such as the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, and enhancing emergency response mechanisms nationwide.

He noted several citizen-centric initiatives -- such as the PM RAHAT Scheme and the Rah-Veer Scheme -- which encourage timely assistance to accident victims.

The minister stressed that inculcating responsible driving habits at an early stage is critical for nurturing a long-term culture of road discipline in the country.

Malhotra also commended PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) for organising the Uttarakhand Adventure Ride and bringing together diverse stakeholders.

He observed that the initiative effectively blends adventure tourism with public awareness, thereby amplifying the critical message of road safety among varied sections of society.

Malhotra elaborated on the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways' 4E Strategy-Engineering, Enforcement, Education, and Emergency Care-which serves as the cornerstone of India's road safety framework.

The minister referred to the growing role of technology, mentioning the use of AI-based traffic monitoring systems, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), automated enforcement mechanisms, and FASTag-enabled seamless mobility in improving road safety outcomes.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good initiative, but enforcement is key. The 2019 Act increased fines, but how often are traffic rules actually enforced on the ground? We need visible policing, not just laws on paper.
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Aman W
The focus on road engineering is crucial. So many highways have poor lighting and sudden potholes. Building good roads is the first step to saving lives. Kudos for the 4E strategy.
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Sarah B
Blending adventure rides with safety awareness is a smart move. It engages people who might otherwise ignore a standard lecture. Hope they do more such events across states.
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Vikram M
While the government's efforts are noted, a major part of the problem is attitude. We need to stop glorifying rash driving in movies and social media. Culture change is slower than law change.
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Kavya N
The PM RAHAT and Rah-Veer schemes are excellent. Often, accident victims don't get help in time due to bystander hesitation. Encouraging people to step up can save so many lives.
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Michael C
The AI and tech angle is promising. Automated fines for helmetless riding via cameras could be a game-changer. But this data must be used to improve infrastructure, not just penalize.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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