World Day of Remembrance ( WDR ) for Road accident victims - Panchkula

To mark the World Day of Remembrance (WDR) for road accident victims Consumer VOICE, New Delhi along with its state partner Citizen Awareness Group Haryana organized a walkathon to spread the awareness on WDR based on the theme of “2020 Target: Reduce Road Fatalities and Serious Injuries by 50%.”

A human chain was created and peace march was held at Sector-5 Panchkula On November 19 to spread the awareness on WDR based on the theme of “2020 Target: Reduce Road Fatalities and Serious Injuries by 50%.” This annual event represents a significant opportunity to call attention to the road safety situation. The peace march held at Panchkula was also aimed at demanding immediate passage of the Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill-2017 in the coming winter session of Parliament.
Prominent people at the event included political leader Ranjeeta Mehta, Consumer Federation Haryana, S K Nayyar and  Sushma Khanna ,Women Welfare Trust.

Surinder Verma, Chairman, Citizen Awareness Group said  “In the state Haryana in the state of Haryana alone 11,234 road crashes, 10,531 injuries and 4,463 road fatalities took place in the year 2016 as per the report released by MoRTH. These casualties may include thousands of innocent children and youth into their productive years of life. This is a massacre on the roads. The passage of Bill is crucial in the upcoming session.”

The memorandum was submitted to the Transport Minister and Transport Commissioner of Haryana and a copy to Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways.
Amarjeet Singh who represented Consumer Voice said “The Road Safety bill promised by government is yet to see the light of say, We urge the government to pass the motor vehicle amendment bill 2017 in the next session of Parliament”. Around 100 people participated in the ‘Walk for safer roads’ to mark the World Day of Remembrance (WDR) for road accident victims.

The event was covered by the press and media.

Panchkula Bhaskar

Dainik Savera

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World Day of Remembrance (WDR) for Road Accident Victims - Jaipur

To mark the World Day of Remembrance for road accidents victims, Consumer VOICE New Delhi, along with Rajasthan Police, Road Safety Cell, Department of Transport, Govt. of Rajasthan, Jaipur Traffic Police and Centre for Road Safety, Sardar Patel University organized a walkathon on November 19, 2017. The walkathon which started form Traffic Park, Shastri Nagar, Jaipur was in partnership with national and international organizations including FIA Foundation, NCC, NSS, Department of Lifelong Learning, University of Rajasthan, Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety and Bhartiya Manav Kalyan Samiti, People’s Trust, CUTS FIA Foundation, NCC, NSS, Department of Lifelong Learning, University of Rajasthan, Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety and Bhartiya Manav Kalyan Samiti, People’s Trust, and CUTS.

Walkathon in Jaipur

The event witnessed participation of more than 700 people including Mrs. S. Parimala, Superintendent of Police (Traffic).  Members from National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), NGOs, Traffic Police and also from victims’ family joined the event. Ms. Prerna Arora, Centre Coordinator, Centre for Road Safety spoke about the importance of the UN World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims which is organized on the 3rd Sunday of November every year.

World Day of Remembrance

Mr. Rajneesh, Public Relation Officer of the Department of Transport, Rajasthan also shared his life’s major incident when his journalist wife met with an accident. In the remembrance of passed souls, white balloons were floated in the sky by Mrs. S. Parimala, Superintendent of Police (Traffic) along with other dignitaries viz Sh. Aswini Bagga, Dr. Maya Tandon, Ms. Shilpa, and Additional SP, Traffic Police. They also shared their thoughts on the importance of Road Safety. Mrs. Indra, Sub-Inspector and In-charge of Education Cell of Jaipur Traffic Police informed about the various road safety norms and importance of safety gears such as helmets and seat belts.

A small rally for awareness among the general public was also organized by the NCC and NSS corps

and a pledge to all was carried out by Ms. Indra at the end of the event.

The event was well covered by the press and media.

DNA

Mahanagar Times

Mahanagar Times

Punjab Kesari 

Rajasthan Patrika

Samachar Jagat

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World Day of Remembrance ( WDR ) for Road accident Victims-Chandigarh

To mark the World Day of Remembrance (WDR) for road accident victims Consumer VOICE, New Delhi along with its state partner Citizen Awareness Group Chandigarh and Chandigarh Police organized a walk at Children's Park, Sector 23, on November 19, 2017 to demand safer roads for all.

The ‘Walk for Safer Roads’ which was attended by 250 people was followed by a candlelight march which saw the participation of social activists, personnel of Chandigarh Police, Traffic Police, scores of students of MCM College and Home Science College.

Walk for Safer Roads in Chandigarh

DSP Traffic, Rajeev Ambasta delivered a talk and gave detailed information on traffic rules. Motivational speaker and Traffic Marshal, Mohinder Kour Kataria spoke on the significance of the day.

On this occasion, Surinder Verma, Chairman Citizen Awareness Group said that “this is the third year in a row that we are observing this day in remembrance of Road Traffic Victims with the support of Consumer Voice Delhi which is also working tirelessly to raise the demand for early passage of Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill 2017.”

Candle Light March in Chandigarh

Chandigarh alone witnessed 428 road crashes, 329 injuries and 151 road fatalities in the year 2016 as per the report released by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). These casualties include thousands of children and youth into their productive years of life. The passage of Bill is crucial in the upcoming session.

Amarjeet Singh Advisor, 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.

WDR in Chandigarh

The memorandum was submitted to the Transport minister and Transport Commissioner of Punjab and a copy to Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways.

Online Coverage:

• Mangla Times
• The Vision News

The event was covered by various print and electronic media.

Times of India

Punjabi Tribune

Chandigarh Tribune

Ajit 

Ajit Samachar

Amar Ujala

Dainik Jagran

Dainik Savera

Jagbani

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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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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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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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