India’s roads claim about 1.8 lakh lives every year, with two-wheelers accounting for a shocking 45% of deaths, revealed Minister of State for Road Transport Harsh Malhotra. At the kickoff of PHD Chamber’s third ‘Uttarakhand Adventure Ride’, he made a passionate plea to young riders: prioritize safety and inspire others.
Under PM Modi’s vision, India’s road network has expanded rapidly, but Minister Malhotra warned that infrastructure alone isn’t enough—driver discipline is crucial. The government is tackling risks head-on: fixing hazardous black spots, advancing road engineering, and ramping up law enforcement via the 2019 Motor Vehicles Act.
Key schemes like PM Relief and Rah-Veer Yojana ensure timely aid for crash victims, while emergency services get a major boost. Malhotra advocated early education on safe driving to cultivate lifelong habits and national road discipline.
He commended the organizers for uniting communities through adventure rides that spread safety messages effectively. Diving into the 4E framework—Engineering, Enforcement, Education, Emergency Care—Malhotra spotlighted tech innovations: AI surveillance, ITS, automated fines, and FASTag, all streamlining traffic and slashing accidents, especially among bikers.
