City observes World Day of Remembrance

Save Lives on Roads: Life is Not a Car Part

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Consumer's Legal Protection Forum, Assam, Consumer VOICE, Delhi in association with Chakshu organized a peaceful walk from Gauhati Medical College Road, Bhangagarh on Sunday morning to mark the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims and demanded safer roads for all.

Many citizens, students, media person’s participated in this event. This year’s slogan of World Day of Remembrance is ‘Life is not a Car Part’. This annual global event represents a significant opportunity to call attention to the pathetic road safety situation in India. Dr. Karavi Barman, Principal-In-Charge, NEF Law College who inaugurated the peace walk and said that about 1.3 million people die each year on the world’s roads and between 20 and 50 million sustain non-fatal injuries.

Road traffic crashes are a major cause of death among all age groups and the leading cause of death among those aged 15–29 years. As per the annual publication, ‘Road Accidents in India-2017’ released by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways in total 4,64,910 road accidents took place causing 1,47,913, road traffic deaths and 4,70,975 injuries in the year 2017. This means that on a daily basis 1,273 accidents took place and 405 Persons were killed on Indian Roads. In the first quarter of 2019 data provided by all the states and union territories to Government, India recorded a total of 118,175 road traffic crashes in which 119,260 persons were injured and 39,268 people died. All avenues - be it road design, licensing, driving skills, traffic management, vehicle design, policing, enforcement, etc. need to be addressed through a strong and Road Safety legislation new MVA immediately.

Before starting the walk Advocate Ajoy Hazarika, Secretary, Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum in his welcome speech said “The most effective ways to reduce road crash deaths is through strengthening road safety laws. According to the road transport and highways ministry, half a million accidents are reported in India every year, in which 150,000 people lose their lives. We urge the government of Assam to strongly implement the new rules of MVA 2019 in the state.

Julie Kakoty, Chief Functionary of Chakshu in her welcome address said “ India has committed to UN to reduce fatalities by 50% by the year 2020. Now we have the new Motor Vehicles Act and through its proper implementation by respective state governments, many lives can be saved. According to the provisional data for the first quarter of 2019 (January to March)provided by all the states and UTs to Government Assam has recorded around 2.400 road crashes, 2,000 injuries and 928 road fatalities which are increasing day by day.”

Speaking on the occasion Ratul Mahanta, Tax Inspector, Govt. of Assam said, “The road crashes killed poor people mostly those who involved in work on the roads, such as drivers, labourers, vendors are extremely vulnerable. A severe injury or death in a poor family can leave them devastated, emotionally and economically.”

People from all walks of life supported the demand for Safe Roads by participating in this event. People who have been grievously injured in road accidents also came forward to extend their solidarity to the cause besides families affected along with civil societies, police officials, and media. All participants paid homage to the road accident victims by lightning the candle after the Peace Walk.

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