India has been honored with the Prince Michael Decade of Action Road Safety Award for its exceptional progress in enhancing vehicle safety standards.
The country received the award for key advancements, such as the introduction of a new car safety assessment program and mandating anti-lock braking systems (ABS) in all new two-wheelers.
A Commitment To Safer Roads
Leaders from across the globe gathered at the 4th Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Marrakech, where they strategized on reducing global road fatalities by 50% by 2030, and presented India with the award.
Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Ajay Tamta, accepted the prestigious award on behalf of India from Etienne Krug of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Transforming Road Safety Policies
Minister Tamta acknowledged the significant policy shift since 2014, following independent crash tests of Indian cars.
These tests led to the revision of India’s vehicle safety standards. Furthermore, in 2018, the government outlined a roadmap to align the country’s vehicle safety norms with European standards by 2023.
Challenges Remain Despite Progress
Despite India’s significant strides in vehicle safety, challenges persist, especially in reducing fatalities involving pedestrians and two-wheeler riders.
While progress in vehicle safety standards has been notable, the country continues to face a high number of road accidents and casualties.
In 2023, road accidents claimed 173,000 lives, underscoring the urgent need for further reforms and targeted efforts to enhance road safety for all road users.
These ongoing concerns highlight that, despite improvements, authorities must take further action to ensure safer roads for everyone.
Global Road Safety Efforts
The Marrakech conference underscored the global collective effort to improve road safety.
India’s recognition alongside Morocco for its efforts signifies the importance of international collaboration in addressing the road safety crisis, which claims millions of lives each year.
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