Safety on Indian roads is getting to be more and more of a contentious issue. Not only is the apparent inaction on the part of the authorities drawing interest locally, our annual death toll of around 1,45,000 is getting a lot of international exposure as well.
First, it was NCAP or the crash test authorities in Europe. And now it's the governing body, the FIA itself, who are extending a helping hand. The President of the Federation Internationale de L’Automobile (FIA) and Ex-Ferrari team manager Jean Todt is, in fact, so concerned that he has taken the matter up personally.
At a press conference organised by the Western India Automobile Association, Todt said, "Road safety is one of the pillars of the FIA, and in India it is a huge problem. Ten percent of global road deaths take place in India, and it is unacceptable that one million Indians get injured in road accidents every year".
He said that the FIA is in the process of engaging the authorities to improve the situation, and that poor driving conditions, a lack of driver education and low enforcement levels are primarily responsible for this situation. He stressed on an increase in levels of technology inside the cars, such as anti lock brakes, airbags and Electronic Stability programs. "But it must start with the first step", he stressed, "everyone absolutely must wear a seatbelt".
Whereas the situation is bad, Todt believes big steps can be taken in the right direction if the authorities put their shoulder to the wheel. Countries like France, for example, saw tremendous progress when enforcement of the laws was stepped up. The FIA, the World body for Motorsports and Mobility helps many countries all over the world when it comes to road safety. They help with the design of roads, with road finance and with driver education as well, and Todt is hoping to kick start many similar activities in India.
Dipan Sur
Viraaj Bhatnagar
