India stands committed to reducing road accidents by 50 per cent by 2020, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said today, while seeking Indian corporate sectors co-operation in inculcating a culture on road safety in society and their employees and take up road safety as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility programme..

“ Indian Corporate sector should encourage its members to adopt safe driving practices to minimize road accidents. The corporate sector should conduct medical examination and eyesight tests of commercial vehicles entering their premises or transporting goods” said Mr Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) while speaking at a a “Conclave with corporate on Road Safety” organized here today by MoRTH in partnership with International Road Federation,(IRF) FICCI, CII, SIAM and ASSOCHAM as part of ongoing Road Safety week.

“We seek help from india inc. as India is committed to reducing fatal road accidents by 50 per cent by the end of 2020 as the country is signatory to UN Decade of Action, We urge the Indian Inc to teach their employees and their families imbibe a culture on road safety and use their logistics and carriers to propagate the message of road safety and thirdly, to make a certain commitment from their CSR spends on projects of road safety advocacy.” Mr Gadkari said.

“As part of the plan to reduce fatalities, the transport ministry has undertaken number of initiatives including a project to rectify black spots, improving road engineering, use of innovative technology to reduce accidents, removal of encroachments on highways, removal of trees obstructing roads, rectifying defective speed breakers m making airbags mandatory in economy cars, and use of safety bars on sides of trucks “ said Mr Gadkari

Mr J .P Nadda Union Health and family welfare minister speaking on the occasion said “ in India there is great need to bring in behaviorial and cultural change to imbibe a culture on road safety . Educating the masses and promotion of road safety awareness in all facets of road usage, drivers’ training. Ministry of health has already taught First respondents training to handle and provide first aid to accident victims and intends to train 10 lakh more by next couple of years”.

Mr K.K.Kapila, Chairman International Road Federation , a global body working for better and safer roads world wide speaking on the occasion said ““India as a signatory to the Brasilia Declaration and is committed to reducing road traffic fatalities by 50% by 2020. Number of Road Accident deaths in India being the highest in the world, higher penalties for traffic offences will help in reducing fatal road accidents. Strict Enforcement with appropriate penalties, accompanied by public awareness of the laws will be a critical factor in reducing road traffic injuries and deaths.” Said Mr Kapila

Others who were present on the occasion included Mr Abhe Damle, Jt Secretary, MoRTH, Dr Henk Bekedam, WHO representatives in India and representatives of FICCI, ASSOCHAM,CII AND SIAM

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