To Know Best, Ask Your Loved Ones. Life Lost By Any Means Is A Matter Of Concern And Tragic Outcome

How precious one’s life is cannot be stressed.

But to know best, ask your loved ones. Life lost by any means is a matter of concern and tragic outcome. The same lives lost by means which are easily avoidable is even more tragic.

Road accidents in India

1,46,133 people were killed in road accidents alone in 2015. This number had seen a worrying increase from the previous years.

According to the statistics from the National Crime Records Bureau, almost 43 children die in road accidents across the country each day. Child Safety on roads is a neglected issue by most, because of lack of awareness amongst both parents & children.

According to the World Health Organisation, using a child seat decreases the risk of death in a crash by about 70% for infants and up to 80% for small children, and should therefore be made compulsory for safer road practices.

How widely this is followed, however, is another story altogether.

Inhumanity on the rise

We are also looking at a larger malaise in our society – where concern for our own lives and that of others take a backseat. But things can change for the better. It is up to us citizens who should take the initiative, re-invent compassion and empathy within us.

At the end of the day, we only have ourselves to help each other.

Why is road safety crucial in India?

In the past decade, over one million people have been killed in road crashes in India, with 16 deaths recorded every hour in 2014 alone. Not only does the loss or impairment of a loved one inflict emotional trauma on lakhs of families, it also imposes a severe financial burden, pushing thousands into poverty.

According to World Health Organisation’s Global Status Report for Road Safety, 2,07,551 people were killed in road crashes in India in 2014. This is 46% more than what the Government statistics state for the same period. The report evaluated country specific legislations based on five risk factors: enforcing speed limits, prevention of drunk driving, safety of children, use of seat belts and helmets. As per the report, the current Indian law does not meet the requirements for 4 out of 5 of these factors.

Take the pledge

We need innovative approaches towards road safety underscoring the essential road safety measures that can combat the hazards of road accidents today. Chevrolet, for example, launched ‘Drive with Care – Protect your Precious’ campaign with a thought-provoking theme – ‘Child Safety’. The initiative is intended to reinstate child safety measures and raise awareness about the highly neglected practice by motorists. The campaign features four ‘Safety Ninjas’ – Chevrolet’s mascots to promote child safety – Buckle Ninja, Child Seat Ninja, Lock Ninja and Rear Seat Ninja; these Ninjas will persuade parents to take the Chevrolet Tiny Safety Challenge.