Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has said, road safety is a matter of national concern and only active cooperation of all stakeholders can reduce the number of road accidents in the country.

Inaugurating a Workshop with Industries on Road Safety in New Delhi today, Mr Gadkari noted with concern that India has the world’s largest number of deaths due to road accidents. He called upon industry leaders and other stakeholders to take a pledge to help bring the number of fatalities down by 50 percent.

The Minister said, in the last few years all stakeholders including the corporates, automobile manufacturers, NGOs and the governments have made collective efforts in this direction, resulting in reduction in the number of deaths due to road accidents.

Speaking on the occasion, Health Minister J P Nadda emphasized upon the triple principals of Law, Awareness and Enforcement. He also insisted upon behavioral, cultural and environmental changes for avoiding accidents.

The Minister informed that to reduce mortality and morbidity occurring due to road traffic injuries, his ministry is implementing National programme for Trauma Care with a focus on improving pre-hospital, hospital and rehabilitative services for injured victims.