Number of people killed in road accidents in India is 2nd highest globally, which is almost 1.5 lakhs per year. This translates into 17 people dying every hour. Another 5 lakhs are seriously injured in road crashes. Road crashes account for more than 44% of all un-natural accidental deaths in India and 51% of all those killed between the ages of 18 and 30.

With the basic aim to save human lives on road in India, Consumer Voice organized a workshop on 19^th June, 2018 to appeal to the members of the  Parliament in‘Making Road Safety a National Priority’. The initiative focused on the 30 year old Motor Vehicles Act 1988 which require immediate amendment to address tremendous changes in the road safety scenario in India.

The workshop which was held in the Constitution Club in New Delhi was led by Member of Parliament, Shri Parvesh Verma, road crashes victims and their families members, Civil Society Organizations, Member of Parliament and partner organizations of road safety coalition highlighted the terrible state of road safety in our country. The participants jointly signed a memorandum to Hon’ble Prime Minister, Hon’ble Vice President, Hon’ble President and Hon’ble Chief Justice of India to make Road Safety as National Priority. The initiative was supported by Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal, Member of Parliament, Shri Abhay Damle, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways highlighted the provisions of the MVA 2017 Bill. Para Olympian, Jagwinder Singh and Singer Kalpana Chauhan along with over 20 victims from across India.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. AshimSanyal COO, Consumer VOICE, said, “Every crash leaves an indelible scar on the family and the community, but the daily crashes are making society numb and reducing these to just statistics. We have therefore brought together survivors of horrific road crashes and their families to tell their tales along with civil society organizations to join together in our appeal.”

Shri Parvesh Verma, Member of Parliament who could not grace the occassion, showed his support through this statement. He stated, “I am the victim and faced the same situation like any other survivor present at the national event on road safety. As you know, my father (Former Chief Minister of Delhi Shri Sahib Singh Verma Ji) lost his life in a tragic road crash. Each and every life is important and we must do everything possible to save. Our Government under leadership of Modi Ji is trying its best for road safety and I am sure that the proposed Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill will strengthen the road safety situation in India. I am joining road crash survivors to appeal our Hon’ble Prime Minister to make road safety as a national priority and get the MVA Bill passed on priority.” A memento as an honor was given to victims who joined our hands for this initiative.