The Society for Automotive Fitness & Environment (SAFE), a road safety initiative of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), hosted its 27th Annual Road Safety Convention in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Organised with the Gujarat Transport Department and Gujarat Road Safety Authority, the event focused on strengthening road safety through enforcement, engineering standards and institutional coordination.
SIAM-SAFE Paper Highlights National Road Safety Priorities
The convention was held under the ‘Safe Journey’ initiative and brought together government and industry stakeholders to discuss India’s road safety challenges.
During the inaugural session, Pravin Gordhanji Mali, Minister of State for Forests, Environment, Climate Change and Transport, Government of Gujarat, released the SIAM-SAFE context paper, “Analysing India’s Imperatives for Road Safety.”
The event highlighted the need for coordinated action across multiple areas:
- Improved traffic enforcement and road engineering
- Stronger institutional road safety practices
- Greater collaboration between government and industry
- Innovative solutions for India’s diverse road-user environment
Gujarat Announces Regional Road Safety Initiatives
The Gujarat government also announced targeted initiatives as part of its road safety efforts. These include an Ahmedabad road safety programme developed with Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) and a public awareness campaign in Gandhinagar in partnership with the National Institute of Design (NID).
Vehicle Exhibition Highlights Safety Across Segments
A parallel exhibition showcased 10 vehicles spanning two-wheelers, three-wheelers, passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Participating manufacturers included Hero MotoCorp, HMSI, TVS Motor, Mahindra & Mahindra, Skoda, Ashok Leyland/Switch Mobility, Maruti Suzuki and VE Commercial Vehicles. A mobile eye check-up unit was also present.
Industry Calls for a Collaborative Road Safety Ecosystem
SAFE President and Maruti Suzuki India Executive Officer Alok Jaitley emphasised that road safety requires coordinated action from all stakeholders.
Gujarat officials similarly highlighted the complexity of India’s traffic mix and the need for continued collaboration, innovation and sustained efforts to address road safety challenges.
