Youth Empowered for Road Safety: First Workshop Concludes
The Centre of Excellence for Road Safety (CoERS) at IIT Madras, under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), has successfully wrapped up its inaugural physical training-cum-workshop for Sadak Suraksha Mitra (SSM) volunteers. Held from March 16 to 18, 2026, in Faridabad, this workshop aimed to galvanize India’s youth into proactive contributors to road safety, cultivating a nationwide movement driven by their engagement.
During the three-day intensive program, 53 volunteers representing five states and thirteen districts came together to receive training designed to support District Road Safety Committees (DRSCs). The training focused on three critical areas: responding to accidents, conducting road safety audits, and providing administrative support for district-level road safety initiatives.
Emphasizing Grassroots Engagement
In New Delhi, the workshop’s conclusion featured remarks from Shri V Umashankar, Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. He emphasized the indispensable role of grassroots initiatives in enhancing road safety across India, commending the active involvement of the volunteers and encouraging them to translate their newfound knowledge into tangible actions within their districts.
Shri Umashankar underscored the importance of preventive measures in road safety, stating that while effective post-accident responses, such as administering CPR and contacting emergency services, are vital, the main goal should be the prevention of accidents themselves. Identifying the root causes of road accidents can significantly help in curbing their recurrence.
Statistics and Community Responsibility
Addressing the participants, the Secretary highlighted that road accidents are among the leading causes of death, especially among the youth. He noted that even saving a single life is a considerable achievement and called for the volunteers’ unwavering commitment to their mission.
Shri Umashankar referenced alarming statistics, revealing that nearly 45% of road accident fatalities in India involve two-wheelers, largely due to the non-use of helmets. He urged intensified efforts in community awareness campaigns to promote helmet use and stressed that around 20% of fatalities involve pedestrians, pointing to a pressing need for better infrastructure and traffic-calming measures.
Encouraging a Problem-Solving Mindset
The Secretary encouraged volunteers to adopt a problem-solving approach, treating each accident as a unique case, similar to diagnosing a patient before suggesting treatment. He called on them to recognize local challenges and advocate for actionable solutions with district authorities.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to addressing high-risk areas, he mentioned that 100 districts with the highest accident rates have been identified for targeted interventions. Shri Umashankar encouraged all participants to pledge to contribute to accident prevention and saving lives in their regions. He likened their mission to that of soldiers serving their country and expressed confidence that they would make noticeable progress when they reconvene in six months.
The workshop culminated in a valedictory session led by Shri V Umashankar, spurring participants to become champions of road safety within their communities. The event was further supported by Shri Mahmood Ahmed, Additional Secretary, and Shri R.P. Shukla, Director at MoRTH.
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