Usage of Rear Seat Belts will decrease death rate, Says Abhay Damle, Joint Secy, Road Transport Ministry

NEW DELHI (11/01/2019) : A Report Released today by Abhay Damle, Joint Secretary Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, the study titled `Rear Seat-Belt Usage and Child Road Safety in India’ which found that over 90 percent respondents reported not using a rear seat-belt, thereby risking their safety. A new research report by Nissan India and SaveLIFE Foundation brought attention to the startling number of Indians compromising their and their childrens’ safety.

According to the eminent personalities who spoke at the session focused on the usage of seat

Speaking to Ten News, Abhay Damle said,

“As India continues on its trajectory of rapid infrastructure growth, the role of road safety acquires immense importance. Through a combination of policy and awareness creation measures, the government has given road safety the critical importance it deserves. I would like to laud this initiative, and the willingness of corporate India and civil society to work together to make road safety a people’s movement.”

Commenting on the launch of the report, Thomas Kuehl, President, Nissan India, said,

“While there have been various initiatives undertaken to raise awareness around road safety in India, the importance of wearing rear seat belts has been completely neglected. At Nissan, it is our vision to enrich people’s lives and through this initiative, we aim to raise awareness around the usage of rear seat belts. Our strategic partnership with SaveLIFE Foundation and SHARP will set a strong base to bring attention towards this important issue. The first phase of our campaign will focus on reaching out and educating over 200k children in 240 schools across 12 cities on usage of rear seat belts and road safety.”

Speaking about National Study, Piyush Tewari, Founder and CEO of SaveLIFE Foundation, noted,

“This report documents, for the first time in India, the concerning state of child safety on our roads and the public’s perception and expectation regarding the usage of rear seat belts. High road crash fatality cannot be accepted as the norm. It is high time that basic provisions such as child helmets, safety measures in school zones, child seats, special training for school bus and van drivers, and adult accountability be made mandatory across the country. We look forward to the government’s help in enabling a change in mindset at a national level.”