World Day of Remembrance ( WDR ) for Road Accident Victims - Lucknow, UP

To mark the World Day of Remembrance (WDR) for road accident victims Consumer VOICE, New Delhi along with its state partner Consumer Guild Lucknow organized a walk from Swasthya Bhawan Chauraha near (old High Court Building) to Shaheed Smarak, on November 19, 2017 to demand safer roads for all.

Walkathon in Lucknow

People from all walks of life, lawyers, Govt employees, Bar Association Representatives, Students, NGO representatives, and Media had participated actively in the program. Peace walk started from Swasthya Bhawan Chauraha and moved from Civil Court, Uttar Pradesh State Transport Corporation Head office, Transport Commissioner office and ended at Shaeed Smarak.

A two minute silence was observed in the remembrance of road traffic victims. Mr.Gangaphal, the Additional Secretary Transport Road Safety & IT Govt. of Uttar Pradesh sent a message on Road Safety and appreciated the walkathon. A memorandum was submitted to the Additional secretary and a copy was sent to the State Transport Minister Shri Swatantra Dev Singh and Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways.

WDR in Lucknow

On this occasion Abhishek Srivastava Chairman, Consumer Guild said that this is the third year in a row we are observing this day in the remembrance of Road Traffic Victims with the support of Consumer Voice Delhi. We are also tirelessly working on to raise our voice to demand early passage of Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill 2017. He said that in U.P alone 35,612 road crashes , 25096 injuries and 19,320 road fatalities occurred in the year 2016.

Imran Ullah Khan, Rajat Bansal Advocate, Anshu Singh Office Bearer of Oudh Bar Association, Rusheeda Women Activist, Pratyush Chaubey, Robin, Pradeep Gupta , President Vaish Samaj Uttar Pradesh, Lavi Tikkha Awadh Upbhokta Hit Sanrkshan Samiti, RD Shukla from Arpan Sewa Sansthan, Akhilesh Tiwari Dukhna Devi Sewa Sanshthan, Amita Yadav Advocate, Amjad Siddiqui also spoke on the occasion and demanded early passage of Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill 2017, Few accident victims also shared their experience .

Ekta Purohit who represented Consumer Voice, said that The Road Safety bill promised by the government is yet to see the light and ‘we urge the government to pass the Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill 2017 in the next session of Parliament. The event was covered by various print and electronic media.

Media Coverage in Various Newspapers

Hindustan

Swatantra Bharat

Tezkhawar

Amar Ujala

Armantoday

AVNN News

Pioneer

Pioneer

Rashtriya Sahara

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Don’t Huff Puff Your Way with Hookah – An Observational Study on Hookah Bars in Delhi

Hookah smoking  in Delhi

A survey of Hookah Bars in Delhi was conducted by MART in partnership with VOICE in October 2017 with special focus on consumption by children and young adults, in the wake of the increased dangers posed by Hookah consumption and the restrictions put forth by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Government of NCT of Delhi. The research team visited 40 hookah bars, identified on the basis of information from online portals and through dipstick survey.

Did you know?

• Hookah smoking is not safer than smoking cigarette.
• A hookah smoking session may expose the smoker to more smoke over a longer period of time than occurs when smoking a cigarette.
• Hookah smokers may absorb higher concentrations of the same toxins found in cigarette smoke
• Hookah smoke contains many of the same harmful toxins as cigarette smoke and has been associated with lung cancer, respiratory illness, low birth weight, and periodontal disease.
  

Tobacco kills about 1 million Indians everyday and the various forms in which tobacco is consumed in Indian include chewing tobacco in the form of ghutka, paan, etc., smoking in the form of cigarettes, bidis, hookah, etc. and snuffing.

Hookah Bar in Delhi

The observations were made on:

• the signage inside the bars;
• the interiors which were scanned for the presence or lack thereof of separate smoking areas;
• the personnel in the bars were observed for any checks on age and the policies regarding age restrictions were enquired of; and
• the presence or absence of minors consuming hookah.
  

Hookah bar menu

Key Findings of the Study

• Certain hookah bars were located near educational institutions and also in areas which had presence of students, youths.(Rajdhani College, North Campus etc)
• In the bars located near educational institutions, the prices of hookah were much less than hookah bars in up-market location.
• None of the hookah bars had personnel checking the age of the customers.
• Minors were observed to be consuming hookah in 17% of the surveyed bars. Children from the age of 13 upwards were observed to be consuming hookah in these bars.
• The timings of visit by children and young adults in these bars coincided with them skipping school or visiting these places immediately after school
• The COTPA Rules (Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rules, 2008, G.S.R 417(E), dated the 30th May, 2008 as amended vide G.S.R. No. 500(E) dated 23.05.2017), was not being complied with, as:
    a. Service of hookah, food, drinks etc was allowed in these bars.
    b. Some of the bars did not display the mandatory signage: “tobacco smoking is harmful to your health and the health of non-smokers; and entry of person below the age of eighteen years is prohibited”.
• These bars displayed hookah equipment inside the premises. 
• Some of these Bars also had a separate Hookah Menu.

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Media Coverage: National Stakeholders' Consultation Workshop of Consumer VOICE

Consumer VOICE organised a National Stakeholders' consultation workshop to generate awareness about Road safety at Hotel the Royal Plaza, New Delhi on 23rd & 24th November, 2017. The inaugural address was delivered by Mr. Ashim Sanyal, Chief Operating Officer, Consumer VOICE. He gave a presentation on work done by Consumer VOICE on road safety and said “Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill, is long due for passage in Rajya Sabha. Working with many state partners on this critical issue it was appealed to the policy makers/parliamentarians to treat it as very important bill for passage in the coming winter session."

Mr Ashim Sanyal, COO of Consumer VOICE

Mr. Nalin Sinha, India representative of Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) made a presentation highlighting key road accident data, main causes of road accident and steps needed to be taken to strengthen road safety. He said the transportation system should be developed keeping first in view the vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, women and children and not only big cars, which are only 2.5 % of total transportation.

Mr. Nalin Sinha, India representative of Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI)

 Mr. Veerendra  Rathod, Technical Consultant,(Road Safety & Enforcement) Ministry of Road Transport & Highways Mr. Veerendra  Rathod, Technical Consultant,(Road Safety & Enforcement) Ministry of Road Transport & Highways spoke about the road safety system approach and how CSOs can work effectively to reduce road fatalities.

The workshop also highlighted the work done by Consumer VOICE in the last decade on different consumer issues such as road safety, food safety, tobacco control, digital literacy, financial literacy etc.

State Partners at National Stakeholders' Consultation Workshop

The workshop was attended by 16 State Partners of VOICE from 10 different States and many stakeholders who are active on Road Safety issues.

The workshop was also attended by several print and electronic media as well. It was covered well by several newspapers and even Doordarshan.

Coverage by DD

Times of India & PTI: Establish crash investigation teams for road accident probes

The Indian Express: Establish crash investigation teams for road accident probes

India TV: सालाना सड़क दुर्घटना में होती है डेढ़ लाख से अधिक लोगों की मौत, मोटर वाहन संशोधन विधेयक जल्द हो पारित : कंज्यूमर वॉयस

Navbharat Times: सड़क दुर्घटनाओं की जांच के लिए बने हर थाने में दुर्घटना जांच इकाई सड़क सुरक्षा पर राष्ट्रीय स्टेकहोल्डर की परामर्श कार्यशाला

Vijay News: सड़क सुरक्षा पर राष्ट्रीय स्टेकहोल्डर की परामर्श कार्यशाला

Daily Hunt: सालाना सड़क दुर्घटना में होती है डेढ़ लाख से अधिक लोगों की मौत, मोटर वाहन संशोधन विधेयक जल्द हो पारित : कंज्यूमर वॉयस

IANS: सड़क सुरक्षा पर कंज्यूमर वॉयस की परामर्श कार्यशाला सम्पन्न

Dharam Panth: सड़क सुरक्षा पर कंज्यूमर वॉयस की परामर्श कार्यशाला सम्पन्न

Live Uttar Pradesh: सड़क सुरक्षा पर कंज्यूमर वॉयस की परामर्श कार्यशाला सम्पन्न

Raftaar: मोटर वाहन संशोधन विधेयक को जल्द पारित करे संसदः कंज्यूमर वॉयस

Punjab Kasari: मोटर वाहन संशोधन विधेयक को जल्द पारित करे संसदः कंज्यूमर वॉयस

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Tobacco products still available around Delhi schools despite ban - Consumer VOICE Field Research reveals

Consumer VOICE has been tirelessly fighting against the menace of tobacco. In one of its efforts to bring to the notice of the government that COTPA Act is openly, flouted, the field research team observed 30 schools in Delhi and to its dismay found cigarettes and tobacco products being sold openly by kiosks in close vicinity to the school. Read on the complete report published in a leading National Daily. 

Tobacco products are still being sold close to schools, both private and government, despite restrictions on kiosks or shops within 100 yards of a school to help curb tobacco menace in children.

Observational visit was undertaken by Consumer Voice Delhi, an organisation working on consumer issues, covered 30 schools in south and east Delhi. They found tobacco being sold in 11 schools. The non-government organisation covered both government and private schools.

A kiosk near a leading school in Delhi

‘Deadly infiltration’

“As our field research proved, there’s a deadly infiltration of tobacco products around schools despite laws banning the same. Children are being lured into trying out tobacco, which ultimately becomes a habit leading to deadly health consequences. We urge the Delhi government to ensure there are no kiosks or shops near schools and that they should be removed from the 100-yard vicinity of schools to help curb tobacco menace to save innocent children. Tobacco is openly available near educational institutions despite a ban on its sale within 100 yards of a school campus,” said Ashim Sanyal, the chief operating officer of Consumer Voice.

The violation, according to those working in the field of tobacco control, is happening despite government claims about taking several stringent measures to curb the menace of tobacco products, and sale of tobacco products in shops near schools and colleges is on a high. This is a violation of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act (COTPA), 2003.

Tobacco products are easily available to school students

According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey, conducted by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare among students across the country, 14.6% of 13 to 15-year-olds students use tobacco. Of these, 8.1% students smoked tobacco. As many as 11% of all male students surveyed were found to be users of smoking or smokeless tobacco, while 6% of female students used smokeless tobacco and 3.7% smoked tobacco.

According to the Ministry, nearly 37% children in India start smoking before the age of 10 years and 5,500 children start tobacco use daily. The findings of these studies highlight the need for targeted interventions among the youth in general and students in particular, given the marketing overdrive by the tobacco industry to promote its use among the youth.

Authorised shops

The Ministry had recently issued letters to Chief Secretaries of all States, including Delhi, regarding developing mechanism to provide permission/ authorisation through municipal authorities by making a provision that retail shops authorised to sell tobacco products cannot sell any non-tobacco products. The Centre has appealed to the State municipal authorities to regulate sale of tobacco through authorised shops.

A road side kiosk next to the wall of the school

“Every day, 5,500 children get lured into tobacco use and a third of them die due of cancer, heart attack, asthma,’’ said Harit Chaturvedi, surgical oncology, Max Health Care, New Delhi. 

Source: The Hindu 

• Watch Mr. Sri Ram Khanna, Managing Trustee, VOICE, talking about Tobacco Menace in teenagers. 
• To know more about COTPA ACT, click here. 

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COTPA Act openly violated near schools in Delhi

Speaking to one of the correspondents of a leading national daily, Mr. Ashim Sanyal, COO, Consumer VOICE, India revealed that COTPA (Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003) is openly violated near the school of south and East Delhi.

The field researchers of Consumer VOICE surveyed 30 schools in Delhi and found shops and kiosks selling tobacco products in the close vicinity of the school that is less than yards from the school.

COTPA act flouted near school, reveals Ashim Sanyal (COO, Consumer VOICE)

“As our field research proved, there’s a deadly infiltration of tobacco products around schools despite laws banning the same. Children are being lured into trying out tobacco, which ultimately becomes a habit leading to deadly health consequences. We urge the Delhi government to ensure there are no kiosks or shops near schools and that they should be removed from the 100-yard vicinity of schools to help curb tobacco menace to save innocent children. Tobacco is openly available near educational institutions despite a ban on its sale within 100 yards of a school campus,” said Ashim Sanyal, the chief operating officer of Consumer Voice.

Watch Mr. Sri Ram Khanna, Managing Trustee, VOICE, talking about Tobacco Menace in teenagers.

• To read complete report on the field search, click here.  
• To know more about COTPA ACT, click here. 

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Antibiotic Resistance

We all have used antibiotics to treat severe bacterial infections at some point or the other. But medics are now concerned about the misuse that has contributed to a rise in disease causing bacterial resistance.

What is Antibiotic Resistance?
When an antibiotic drug no longer has an effect on a certain strain of bacteria, those bacteria are said to be antibiotic resistant. Overuse of antibiotics fuels antibiotic resistance in bacteria which can inhibit the treatment of antibiotic resistant infections. Misuse or overuse of antibiotics leads to potentially serious effects on health. It has led to creation of multidrug-resistant bacteria, informally called "super bugs":

Even relatively harmless bacteria such as staphylococcus can develop resistance to multiple antibiotics and cause life-threatening infections. The fact that bacteria develop resistance to a drug is normal and expected. However, the way that drugs are used affects how quickly and to what extent drug resistance occurs.

Misuse of Antibiotics
Use of antibiotics without clinical indication, use of broad spectrum antibiotics, inappropriate dose and duration are few factors that lead to misuse of antibiotics. We also tend to consume antibiotics for viral infections where it is not required like common cold, Flu, Bronchitis, cough, sinus, ear infections. Use of antibiotics against these diseases is superfluous and can put the patient at risk of suffering adverse reaction.

Effects of Antibiotic Resistance
In recent years, the pace of drug resistance has contributed to an increasing number of health care problems. A report by CDCP (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention), America states that at least 2 million people annually "acquire serious infections with bacteria that are resistant to one or more of the antibiotics designed to treat those infections." At least 23,000 people die annually from antibiotic-resistant infections.

The increasing number of drug-resistant infections results in:

• More-serious illness or disability
• More deaths from previously treatable illnesses
• Prolonged recovery
• Less effective or more-invasive treatments

Protection from Antibiotic Resistance
An appropriate use of antibiotics can help preserve the effectiveness of current antibiotics, extend their life span and protect the public from antibiotic-resistant infections.  We can help reduce the development of antibiotic resistance by taking the following steps:

• Use antibiotics only as prescribed by the doctor.
•  Take the appropriate daily dosage and complete the entire course of treatment.
• Don’t consume leftover pills
• Don't pressure your doctor prescribe antibiotics. Ask your doctor for advice on how to treat symptoms.
• Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after using the toilet, before eating, before preparing food and after handling fresh meat. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, and keep kitchen work surfaces clean.
• Be particular about your vaccination

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Help Road Crash Victims without Fear – SC Issues Guidelines on Protecting Good Samaritans

‘Man bleeds to death on Delhi road after hit and run case’ or ‘Accident victim left to bleed and die in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram’ these are a few headlines that we get to read almost every day. Other than rash and negligent driving and not following traffic rules, one of the main reasons for high rate of road accident deaths in India is the inability of the victims to receive timely medical attention. The Law Commission of India Report of 2006, states that ‘at least 50 per cent of the fatality can be averted if the victims are admitted to a hospital within the first one hour.’ A World Health Organisation (WHO) report also states that ‘even the most sophisticated and well equipped prehospital trauma care system can do little if bystanders fail to recognize the seriousness of a situation, call for help and provide basic care until help arrives.’

A major impediment to victims getting timely help is the panic among bystanders that they could get entangled in legal procedures. This is the reason why a ‘Good Samaritan’ legal protection is essential. Though the Parliament hasn’t passed any such law but on March 30, 2016, thanks to the Supreme Court of India, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued guidelines for the protection of Good Samaritans.

The guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court include the following:

1.     If you are a Good Samaritan you will be treated respectfully and without any discrimination on the grounds of gender, nationality, religion, and caste.

2.     The Good Samaritan shall be allowed to leave by the police after having received all the necessary inputs

3.     The Good Samaritan can keep his or identity secret and shall not be compelled to reveal any details.

4.     Any individual, except an eyewitness, who calls the police to inform them of an accidental injury or death need not reveal his or her personal details such as full name, address or phone number.

There are several provisions in case a Good Samaritan wants to become a witness to the road accident. He or she would be treated with respect and care and the examination of questioning of the Good Samaritan shall be conducted at the convenience of the Good Samaritan. The Good Samaritan if called at the police station he or she would be examined in a single examination within a reasonable time-frame.

Though these guidelines are a welcome relief, but much more needs to be done to motivate people to become Good Samaritans. Proper sensitization is needed to encourage people to help road crash victims without fear and hesitance.

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On children’s day Citizens Awareness Group presses upon passing Motors Vehicle Bill-2017

Press Release, Chandigarh, November 13, 2017

On the occasion of Children’s Day, social organisation, Citizens Awareness Group, has urged the central government to save the precious lives of children on roads by passing the Motors Vehicles Bill 2017, in the upcoming winter session in Parliament. While sharing some of the facts, Chairman of the Citizens Awareness Group, Surinder Verma, said, “In 2016, more than 10,000 Children died in road accidents in India. According to the World Health Organization, more than 12 lakh people die each year, and up to 5 crore are injured, on the world’s roads. Road traffic injuries and deaths have a significant impact on individuals under the age of 18 who account for more than 186,000 road traffic deaths annually. More than 220 children (5-14 years) all over the world meet a deadly end because of road accidents”.

Adding to it he said, “Children are the future of nation and their safety and protection should be the priority. Road crashes are impacting children directly including their ability to attend the school. One reason that children are more severely impacted by road traffic crashes is their limited physical, cognitive and social development which makes them more vulnerable than adults to serious injury or death as a result of road crashes”.

As one of the signatories of the Sustainable Development Goals, India has the responsibility to enact appropriate legislation to achieve this goal, especially when it comes to the safety of India’s children on the roads. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2017 has already been cleared by Lok Sabha in last session and is due for passage by the Rajya Sabha.

“If this bill is further deferred, we will be putting at risk precious lives of citizens before the next session of the Parliament can adopt it. These casualties may include thousands of innocent children and youth into their productive years of life”. The passage of Bill is crucial in the upcoming winter session.” said Name, Designation Organization said Surinder Verma.

Organization has been working on the road safety from long and submitted various representation to Central and State government for bringing strong law on road safety besides organising various educational activities.

Source: City Air News

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बाल दिवस के मौके पर मोटर विधेयक (संशोधन) पास करने की अपील

प्रेस विज्ञप्ति: लखनऊ, उत्तर प्रदेश

बाल दिवस के मौके पर कंज्यूमर्स गिल्ड,  सरकार  से मोटर वाहन (संशोधन) विधेयक 2017 को आगामी संसदीय सत्र में पास करने की अपील करता है।

सड़क दुर्घटनाओं में लगभग 10,000 से अधिक मासूमों ने गवाई जान बच्चे राष्ट्र का भविष्य हैं, लिहाजा उनकी सुरक्षा प्राथमिकता होनी चाहिए। सड़क दुर्घटनाएं स्कूल जाने वाले बच्चों के लिए भी समस्या उतपन्न कर रही है। गौरतलब हो कि सड़क यातायात दुर्घटनाओं से बच्चे गंभीर रूप से प्रभावित होते है, ऐसे में उनका सीमित भौतिक, संज्ञानात्मक और सामाजिक विकास होता है, जो सड़क दुर्घटनाओं के कारण उन्हें युवाओं की तुलना में अधिक संवेदनशील बनाता है।
विश्व स्वास्थ्य संगठन के मुताबिक, दुनियाभर में सड़कों पर हर साल 12 लाख से ज्यादा लोग मरते हैं, और 5 करोड़ की संख्या तक घायल हो जाते हैं। सड़क यातायात में घायल और मृत्यु के मामलों से 18 वर्ष से कम आयु के व्यक्तियों पर गंभीर प्रभाव पड़ता है, जो सालाना 186,000 से अधिक सड़क यातायात की मौत का कारण होता है। सड़क दुर्घटनाओं के चलते पूरे विश्व में 220 से अधिक बच्चे (5-14 वर्ष) घातक अंत से दो-चार होते हैं।

विशेषकर जब भारत की सड़कों पर बच्चों की सुरक्षा की बात आती है, तो बतौर सशक्त विकास लक्ष्यों के हस्ताक्षरकर्ता, इस लक्ष्य को प्राप्त करने के लिए भारत पर उचित कानून बनाने की जिम्मेदारी है। बहरहाल, मोटर वाहन (संशोधन) विधेयक 2017 को पहले सत्र में लोकसभा ने पहले ही मंजूरी दे दी है लेकिन राज्यसभा द्वारा पारित होना अभी भी बाकि है।
  
श्री अभिषेक श्रीवास्तव,  कंज्यूमर्स गिल्ड, ने कहा कि ’’यदि यह विधेयक आगले सत्र में पास किया जाता है, तो लंबे समय के लिए हम नागरिकों के जीवन को खतरे में डाल सकते हैं। इन हताहतों की संख्या हजारों निर्दोष बच्चों और युवाओं को शामिल कर सकती है। लिहाजा  शीतकालीन सत्र में विधेयक का पास होना महत्वपूर्ण है। 

संगठन सड़क सुरक्षा पर लंबे समय से काम कर रहा है, विभिन्न शैक्षणिक गतिविधियों को व्यवस्थित करने के अलावा सड़क सुरक्षा पर मजबूत कानून लाने के लिए केंद्रीय और राज्य सरकार को विभिन्न प्रतिनिधियों से बात कर रहा है।

Arman Today TV के सौजन्य से
  
(Consumers Guild Lucknow is Consumer VOICE's regional partner to raise awareness about the importance of passing the Road Transport and Safety Bill in the upcoming session of the Parliament.)

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10 Things To Do When You See a Victim of Road Accident

A total of 4,80,652 people have been injured in road accidents in 2016 out of which 1,50,785 precious lives have been lost as per the latest MORTH (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways) data. However, many of these lives could have been saved if they had received timely intervention. But due to the apathy of people many simply pass by without helping. Some attribute this to their hesitation and fear of having to deal with concerned authorities namely the police while others are simply reluctant.

So, this year, on the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDR), on 19th November, let’s promise ourselves to be responsible citizens and help road accident victims.

A little empathy can save a life

The theme of this year’s event is “2020 Target: Reduce Road Fatalities and Serious Injuries by 50%” and one of the ways in which it can be done is by helping road accident victims. Given the focus on the 2020 target, this year’s commemoration also provides an opportunity to highlight India’s commitment to meet the Sustainable Development Goal target 3.6, which calls for a halving of road traffic deaths and injuries.

Here are a few important things that you can do as a responsible citizen to save a precious life before the arrival of the ambulance:

1. Remain Calm – Do not panic. It is important for you and the victim to remain calm as it will help you take rational decisions. Do not allow any person at the scene, be it the victim or bystander to panic.

2. Assess the Accident Spot - Move closer to the accident area, to understand if the accident involves only a single person or there are more. Be careful and check for leaking CNG and petrol pipes, live wires or broken glass.

3. Call the Emergency Services – Dial 102 for ambulance and 100 for police. Give the exact location of the accident, so that they do not waste time in reaching the accident spot.

4. Stop Cars and Ask For Help – If there aren’t too many people on the road, try and stop other cars or bikes for help. Request other bystanders to help you.

5. Call Family and Friends – Check the last dialed number from the victim’s mobile or check for frequently called numbers or names like Mom, Dad, Hubby, Wife etc.

6. Provide First Aid - If you know or are trained to give CPR (Chest pressure for heart rate / Mouth to Mouth Oxygen transfer) do it if the victim is unconscious. If it involved a car accident, search for a first aid kit inside car or take help from the bystanders.

7. Check for Pulse – Try and assess the condition of the victim. If the victim is unconscious and not responding, then you might have to immediately take the victim to the nearest hospital without waiting for the ambulance. Remember to take care of the neck and head portion. Lesser movements and road jerks will help if you have given a little head and neck support to the victim’s body. However, avoid moving the victim, unless absolutely necessary or you are trained in it as you might be hurting the victim and causing further damage.

8. Help Keep the Traffic Moving – Make space for ambulance to come, so keep the traffic moving. Some curious people simply slow down their vehicles to check out an accident. Just let them know it is nothing serious. You should also warn the oncoming traffic and let drivers know that there is an accident and they need to avoid the area.

9. Comfort the Victim – The accident victim is scared and even hurt. Talk to the victim if he or she is conscious with comforting and encouraging words like ‘ambulance is on the way’ and ‘nothing serious has happened.’

10. Accompany the Victim – Do accompany the victim to the hospital till the arrival of the family members and provide all the support to the police to help them register a case.

So on this World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, let’s take a pledge to help others today as tomorrow it might be you!

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Tobacco – A Menace Among Children

The prevalence of tobacco smoking in India among minors aged between 15-17 years and adolescents between 18-24 years has reduced according to the latest GATS-2 (Global Adult Tobacco Survey) report of 2016-17. The situation is still alarming and remains a serious cause for concern . The Indian government has taken some measures to curb this deadly menace with the implementation of COTPA or the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA).

What is COTPA

 This move brought in by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is aimed at preventing exposure of children to tobacco products. “It is felt that the regulation of tobacco products can be made more effective. It will be appropriate to develop a mechanism to provide permission or authorisation through municipal authority to the retail shops who are selling tobacco products,” stated Arun Kumar Jha, economic adviser in the ministry of health and family welfare, in a letter dated 21 September 2017.

“Further, it would also be appropriate to make a condition or provision in the authorisation that the shops authorised for selling tobacco products cannot sell any non-tobacco products such as toffees, candies, chips, biscuits, soft drinks, etc., which are essentially meant for non-user, especially children,” Jha said in the letter.

Despite the preventive steps being taken by the government, we as responsible citizens should ensure that our children, who are the future, should not be exposed to smoking. Parents should quit smoking so that children not only stop from getting exposed to second-hand smoking but also follow their parents as role models. 

Also Read:

·         World No Tobacco Day

·         GATS Report Analysis

 

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How Safe Are Our Roads for Children?

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) of 1989 recognizes that “every child has the inherent right to life” but sadly their lives are being snatched by the cruel hands of God at a very early age and one of the main reasons being that of road traffic deaths. Children account for more than 186,000 annual road traffic deaths globally. More than 220 children (5-14 years) all over the world meet a deadly end because of road accidents. In India the scene is equally dismal. In 2016, more than 10,000 children died in road accidents according to the latest MORTH report.  

Unsafe Public Transport for School Children

Indian road safety record is one of the worst in the world and children are the worst affected. They are indirectly affected due to negligent driving, rash driving, and drunken driving. Another major cause for road accidents among children is the casual attitude of the adults who do not ensure seat belts or helmets for children. 

Some of the ways in which we can reduce road traffic deaths especially among children are by bringing in effective road safety laws and stricter enforcement of these laws. The international best practices on road safety should also be adopted in India to ensure a safe life for all children. These include:

Speed Management 

Setting appropriate speed limits especially when carrying school children in vans should be immediately implemented. As per the Global Status Report on Road Safety, World Health Organization, 2015, an adult pedestrian, the risk of dying if struck by a car travelling at less than 50km/h is below 20%. The chances of accident increases substantially if the speed of the vehicle increases too.

Seat Belts

Even parents forget to ensure this rule of making children compulsorily wear seat belts. In India it is not common for children or adults to wear seat belts if they are occupying the back seat. Did you know that correctly wearing a seat-belt reduces the risk of a fatal injury by up to 50%for front seat occupants and by up to 75% for rear seat occupants?

Child Restraints

If a child wears appropriate restraint as per their size and weight, it will significantly reduce accidents. 

Let’s make India a better and safer place for all our children and surely one of the best ways of doing so is making our roads child safe.

To know more about Consumer Voice's Road Safety Initiative, click here 

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