Everyone should observe traffic rules to prevent Road accidents and save many lives- Prof K G Suresh

Prof K G Suresh, Vice Chancellor, Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism (MCU) called upon the youth to observe traffic rules and avoid reckless driving to prevent accidents, deaths and serious injuries. He was speaking at the workshop on “Reducing Traffic Accidents vis a vis Injury and Fatalities through Reducing Traffic Speed” organised jointly by National Centre for Human Settlements & Environment (NCHSE), Bhopal, Consumer Voice, New Delhi and MCU, Bhopal on 24th November, 2021 to mark the “World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims”.

The objectives of the workshop were to encourage youth to observe traffic rules and avoid reckless driving to prevent accidents, deaths and serious injuries. Dr Pradip Nandi, Director General, NCHSE said that World Day of Remembrance for road Traffic Victims is dedicated to remembering the many millions of road traffic victims throughout the world. This year the day has a special significance as it marks the start of the new Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030. 

He also presented the Road Safety scenario worldwide as well as in India and the provisions of Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, 2019 to prevent traffic accidents. He pointed out that as per the Road Accident Report for 2019, published by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways in 2020, road accidents continue as a leading cause of death and disabilities in the country despite commitment and efforts by the GOI and the states. Referring to the report he said that in 2019, 449,002 road accidents caused 151,113 death and injuries to 451,361 persons in the country.

This includes 11,249 deaths in 50,669 road accidents in Madhya Pradesh. He said that maximum fatalities or grievous injuries are suffered by the working age group, which not only affect the person suffered the injury but affects the entire family financially. He further added that it is alarming and there is need for create awareness among youth and working group of people to abide by the safety measures including reducing speed/ provisions of the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act 2019. Page 2 of 3 Shri Manoj Khatri, DSP, Traffic, Bhopal spoke about the action being taken by the state government especially in Bhopal to prevent road accidents to save lives.

He also films to elaborate on this. Dr. S.K.Saxena, Senior Surgical Specialist & Civil Surgeon and Former Medical Adviser to Human Rights Commission said that the role of a good Samaritan, especially his/her promptness is very crucial to save lives and thus to reduce fatalities among road accident victims. He highlighted the need for training on road safety and first aid for all from the primary stage in school up to the college to enable them to save lives of road accident victims. Dr. Rahul Tiwari, Asstt Professor of MANIT mentioned about the government of India’s efforts to make over all changes in the existing system through automation of vehicle registration, issuing driving licenses, detection of traffic violation and over speeding etc. He also explained how implementation of Intelligent Traffic Management System could help in detecting traffic violations and help in proper implementation of MVAA 2019. He also stressed upon the need for implementation of automatic surveillance system to help reduce traffic violation and accidents. 

More than 100 persons, comprising of students of 18-20 age group, police personnel and few road accident victims and senior citizens participated the workshop. Youth participants pledged to obey traffic rules and act as a Good Samaritan and help road accident victims. Shri Avinash Shrivastava, Dy Director, NCHSE conducted the programme and Dr. Sanjeev Gupta, Professor of Communication, MCU gave vote of Thanks. Page 3 of 3 Road Safety Scenario in India • Of 90% road casualties in developing countries, 11% alone being accounted for by India. • India ranks 1st in the number of road accident deaths across the 199 countries followed by China and US (World Road Statistics, 2018) ; • In 2019, 449,002 accidents took leading to 151,113 deaths and 451,361 injuries (Road Accident Report, 2020). This includes 11,249 deaths in 50,669 road accidents in Madhya Pradesh. • The working age group of 18 – 60 accounted for 84 % of the total road accident deaths. During 2019. • Young adults in the age group of 18 - 45 years accounted for nearly 69.3 % of road accident victims • National Highways & State Highways (about 5% of total road length) account for 61% accident related deaths. • Remaining Roads (about 95 % of total road length) were responsible for balance 39% deaths. • Over-speeding accounts for the maximum road accidents and road accident deaths (ranging between 63% to 73% for accidents and between 62% to 70% for road accident deaths) • In 2019, the share of number of person killed in urban and rural area was 32.9 per cent and 67.1 per cent, respectively while that of road accidents in urban and rural area was 39.7 per and 60.3 per cent respectively • The data reveals that both road accidents and accident related killings are more a rural phenomenon than an urban phenomenon. • In 2018-19, Road accidents have decreased in some states like Tamil Nadu but there has been a steady increase in road accidents in Madhya Pradesh.