New Delhi: To make India’s chaotic roads less dangerous and to initiate responsible driving among people, the Union ministry of road transport and highways has started the 29th road safety week from today (April 23-April 3o) with a theme ‘Sadak Suraksha – Jeevan Raksha’ (Road Safety – Protection to Life).
Inaugurating the Road Safety Week in New Delhi today, Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said,
Every person’s life is valuable. We all should come forward today and take the oath that we will be safe on the roads and take care of the safety of others. Let us altogether drive the road safety campaign.
Road Safety Week: Be A Part Of The Awareness Campaign In Your City
Mr Gadkari also released a book named “Have a Safe Journey” and said it is government’s priority to ensure safety of people on the roads but it is important that we get the support of the public. He adds,
In the road safety campaign, the role of people is very crucial. Last year, more than 5 lakh accidents have happened and around 2 lakh people have lost their lives. If today, we take the pledge to adhere to basic road safety rules like – wear a helmet/seatbelt; not use the mobile phone while driving, we can reduce the loss of lives drastically.
Talking about this year’s road safety week agenda, Mr Gadkari said that the government is focusing majorly on schools and commercial drivers and said that they are making all the efforts to make driving training centres across the country.
The training centre is important; we are trying to get it in all the districts, even the most backward district of India. The training centres will not just teach drivers’ the basics of driving but will also teach them the rules of road safety and that’s what I think is of utmost importance.
From rallies, street plays, pamphlets to various awareness drives, the country today officially kick-started the road safety week. Here are the glimpses of the events held:
Make India’s roads safer, take the Pledge To Never Drink And Drive