Over 30 media professionals from print, online, and radio gathered in Ahmedabad for a two-day ‘National Media Workshop on Road Safety,’ organised by UNICEF. The event sought to enhance the capacity of journalists to promote road safety, particularly for children and adolescents, and to foster collaboration between experts, government officials, and the media to advocate for stronger safety measures.
The workshop underscored the urgent need for increased road safety awareness in India, where children and adolescents face significant risks. According to statistics, road crashes claim the lives of over 42 children and 31 adolescents daily in the country. Many of these tragic incidents occur near schools and colleges, highlighting the necessity of addressing road safety violations and raising public awareness.
In August 2020, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution titled “Improving Global Road Safety,” launching the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030. This global initiative aims to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 50% by 2030.
A 2022 UNICEF report titled ‘Child and Adolescent Road Safety in South Asia’ highlights the stark reality of road accidents in the region. In 2019 alone, injuries accounted for 9% of the 12.2 million deaths in South Asia, with road traffic collisions responsible for a quarter of those deaths. Among children and adolescents, 171,468 lost their lives due to injuries, with 29,859 of these fatalities resulting from road crashes. The overall road traffic death rate in the region was 6 per 100,000 people, and the economic and social costs of these accidents are substantial. The report also notes that road accidents resulted in the loss of 2.5 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) among those under the age of 20.
Dr Syed Ali Hubbe, Health Specialist at UNICEF India, emphasised the importance of addressing road safety from a child rights perspective. He cited a World Bank report from 2021, stating, “India accounts for 1% of the world’s vehicles but 11% of all road accident deaths and 6% of total road crashes. Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable, with speeding near schools being a major risk factor.” He added that the media has a crucial role to play in promoting awareness of critical safety measures, such as helmet use, speed limits and seatbelt compliance, to reduce injuries and fatalities.
The workshop saw participation from prominent figures, including Shri S. Patel, CEO of Gujarat Road Safety Authority, Dr G Gururaj from the WHO Collaborating Centre (NIMHANS), and various UNICEF officials, alongside senior representatives from the media. Discussions focused on the consistent use of helmets, avoiding alcohol while driving, adhering to speed limits and the importance of seatbelt use.
Technical experts shared insights into the challenges and solutions surrounding road safety, inspiring participants to innovate in their reporting, with a particular focus on child safety. The workshop concluded with a call to action for media professionals to play an active role in informing the public and raising awareness of road safety measures across India, ensuring that children and adolescents can travel safely.
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