Patna : The Janaki Foundation and its partner Rudra Development Foundation with support from Consumer VOICE, Delhi organized a peaceful walk starting from Biscomaun, Gandhi Maidan ending at Kargil Chowk in Patna from 7.00 AM to 8.30 AM on November 20, 2016 to mark Day of Remembrance for road accident victims and demand safe roads for all.
About 100 people are expected to participate in the peace walk. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), in the last 10 years, over 12 lakh people have been killed on India�s roads. In 2015 alone, 1.4 lakh people, including 17,000 children were killed in road accidents across India.
People from all walks of life supported demand for Safe Roads by participating in this Walk. Scores of school children walked asking the government to ensure their protection on roads. People who have themselves been grievously injured in road accidents are also coming forward to extend their solidarity to the cause besides families affected.
Several organizations lent their support questioning the intent of government on bringing a strong road safety law. The Janaki Foundation & Consumer VOICE said �The road safety bill promised by the Government is yet to see the light of day. All we have seen is severe dilution to the proposed drafts with many road safety statutes missing from the latest version�
Vijay Kumar representing The Janaki Foundation said “we read about hit-and-run cases everyday. It seems just a statistic until it affects you. Twenty two years ago, I lost my entire family to a road accident. In India, maximum number of spinal injuries are due to road accidents. As much as policy changes are required but also needed is proper enforcement.”
Road accidents are an epidemic that the Government can no longer afford to ignore. And all avenues – be it Road design, driving skills, traffic management, vehicle design, policing, enforcement etc. need to be addressed through a strong and comprehensive Road Safety legislation immediately.
This should be addressed in the Road Safety Bill 2015 which is under discussion in the Parliament. Hence, awareness on the Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill 2016 is an important step to curb vulnerability at streets and prevent many lives from accidents.