India, March 19 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
The Centre of Excellence for Road Safety (CoERS) at IIT Madras, established under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), has successfully concluded the first physical training-cum-workshop for Sadak Suraksha Mitra (SSM) volunteers from March 16-18, 2026, at Faridabad. The program aims to empower India's youth as active contributors to road safety, creating a youth-driven movement across the country. The three-day intensive workshop brought together 53 volunteers from 5 states and 13 districts. Participants were trained to support District Road Safety Committees (DRSCs) in three key areas: first response to accidents, road safety audits, and administrative support for district-level road safety initiatives.
The three-day Sadak Suraksha Mitra Workshop-cum-Training Programme concluded in New Delhi, with the Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Shri V Umashankar, addressing participants and emphasizing the critical role of grassroots interventions in improving road safety across the country.
Addressing road safety volunteers and stakeholders, Shri V Umashankar expressed pride in the participation of road safety leaders and volunteers from across the country. He encouraged the participants to translate their learnings into actionable outcomes at the district level.
Underscoring the importance of preventive measures, Secy., RT&H stated that while post-accident responses such as providing CPR and calling emergency services are crucial, preventing accidents altogether should be the primary focus. He emphasized that every road accident has an underlying cause, and identifying and addressing these causes can help prevent recurrence.
Interacting with the participants, the Secretary highlighted that road accidents remain one of the leading causes of death, particularly among the younger population. He stressed that saving even a single life is a significant achievement and called upon the volunteers to work with dedication and commitment.
Highlighting key statistics, he remarked that nearly 45% of road accidents fatalities in India involve two-wheelers, with non-use of helmets being a major contributing factor. He called for intensified awareness campaigns and community engagement to promote helmet usage. He also pointed out that around 20% of accident fatalities involve pedestrians, stressing the need for improved infrastructure and traffic-calming measures.
Emphasizing a problem-solving approach, he advised volunteers to treat each accident case uniquely, akin to diagnosing a patient before prescribing treatment. He encouraged them to identify local issues and advocate for solutions with district authorities.
Reaffirming the Government's focus on high-risk areas, he informed that 100 districts with the highest number of accidents have already been identified for targeted interventions. Shri Umashankar urged participants to take a pledge to prevent accidents and save lives in their respective areas. He likened their role to that of soldiers serving the nation and expressed confidence that measurable progress would be visible when they reconvene after six months.
The workshop concluded with a valedictory session at MoRTH, graced by Shri V. Umashankar, Secretary, MoRTH, who encouraged participants to become road safety champions in their communities. Shri Mahmood Ahmed, Additional Secretary, and Shri R.P. Shukla, Director, were present at the program.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
