The Society for Automotive Fitness & Environment (SAFE), a SIAM initiative in association with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and the Transport Department of the Government of Assam, organised its annual convention in Guwahati on May 2. The theme for this year’s convention was “Enforcement, Intelligent Transportation and Training for Safer Roads”, aimed at addressing the safety hazards that roads present due to lack of road safety awareness.
The SAFE convention was organised to share the best practices adopted by the Government and private organisations in areas of vehicular safety, technology innovations and standards for enhancing road safety. The convention was attended by prominent representatives from the Ministry and delegates from different backgrounds. Mr. Naveen Soni, President, Society for Automotive Fitness & Environment (SAFE), welcomed the chief guests, dignitaries and delegates.
At the inaugural session, Ms. Neeti Sarkar, CEO & PD, NATRiP, along with Mr. Ashutosh Agnihotri, Commissioner & Secretary (Transport, Industries & Commerce & Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship Department), Government of Assam, addressed the delegates. Mr. Agnihotri thanked automobile manufacturers for organising the road safety conference at Guwahati and requested all corporates to plan for year-long activities across Assam to improve the road safety situation.
Speaking at the convention, Mr. Naveen Soni, President, SAFE, observed: “Road safety is of utmost importance to us. The onus for making our roads safe is on us on us as it is on the regulators. We as manufacturers, apart from ensuring the technical safety aspects in vehicles, also invest in creating and spreading awareness about safety. Government intervention and industry participation will be the key to building a robust and sustainable road safety model. Automobile manufacturers are extensively trying to implement various initiatives in the area of improving road safety.”
In his address, Mr. P.K. Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, said: “With the socio-economic progress of the country happening at such a rapid pace, it is important for road safety measures to also evolve with the times and ensure that all citizens are safe. We have been working with the Government towards holding awareness building workshops across the country as well as introduction of accident, data analytics and implementation of technology-based solutions in traffic management. There have been a number of successful programs held across the country that have made some significant difference. Training programs are also being organised to make drivers more aware. SIAM SAFE is working towards ensuring these programs are driven with an agenda of ‘Building the Nation, Responsibly’.”
Three different technical sessions were organised at the convention which focussed on safety. The first technical session highlighted the successful projects on Road Safety implemented by the enforcement agencies. At the first session, Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Transport Commissioner, Government of Assam, Mr. Anil Chhikara, MLO, Transport Department, Government of NCT Delhi, Mr. Sanjay Sasane, Mr. Yogesh Bag, Transport Department, Government of Maharashtra, and Ms. Prerna Singh, Centre for Road Safety, Sardar Patel University of Police, Rajasthan, presented their views.
The second technical session laid emphasis on safety as a top priority. Traffic planning is one of the strongest steps which will assist in safer and cleaner environment. This session focussed on steps taken in planning the traffic by usage of intelligent transportation and accident data analysis.
At this session, Mr. Anand Narayanan, BOSCH, Mr. Sitikantha Padhy, Manager, ADAC, NATRiP, Mr. N. Balasubrahmanian, Dy. Vice President, Renault Nissan Technology and Business Centre, India, and Mr. Anubrata Choudhary, Sr. Manager, IAMHere24x7, shared their insights on the ITS usage in traffic planning and accident analysis system required for bringing about a reduction in road fatalities.
The third technical session drew attention towards the importance of training. This session focussed on driver training and other projects which spreads knowledge in the area road safety and environment.
At this session, Mr. Mohammed Ali, Head DTI Kaithal, Ashok Leyland Ltd., Mr. Arun Lakshman, Asst. General Manager, IDTR, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., Mr. Prabhu Nagraj, Vice President, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Abhijit Kumar Mandal, National Institute for Automotive Inspection, Maintenance and Training (NIAIMT), Silchar, and Mr. Prashant Chopra, National Safety Head, Hero MotoCorp Ltd., presented their views on the importance of driver training.
In order to achieve advancement of inspection and certification (I&C) of vehicles and reduced emission from in-use vehicles, as also increased safety on roads, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has incorporated an independent body, Society for Automotive Fitness & Environment (SAFE). With memberships from industry, Government, testing agencies, and NGOs, SAFE works to generate awareness among the various stakeholders regarding inspection & certification of in-use vehicles which would lead to safe vehicles and cleaner environment.
SAFE organizes inspection clinics for in-use vehicles and training workshops for emission technicians in various parts of the country. These programmes are aimed to create awareness on the importance of regular maintenance among vehicle owners. It is one of the most effective ways to control emission levels from vehicles in the country. In addition SAFE organizes seminars with State Governments and other stakeholders.