Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan '24 Telethon: An in-depth look into this year’s theme, speakers, and long-term goals

Patience: The necessity of being patient and adhering to traffic rules, driving within limits.

Safety: The need of the hour is to choose safety by adopting new technologies and initiatives that are introduced to make our roads safe and secure public spaces.

Collaboration: The absolute necessity of collaboration and cooperation among the common man, civil society, and the government to ensure the all-around improvement of road safety in India.

Another significant aspect of this year's initiative is to emphasize the alarming number of deaths and injuries faced by two-wheeler riders and pedestrians. According to the Road Accidents in India Report 2022 released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), two-wheelers accounted for nearly half of the deaths due to road accidents (44.5%), while pedestrians alone contributed to almost 20% of road crash fatalities. Estimates also suggest that over 70,000 lives could potentially be saved if bystanders, acting in good faith, come forward to help road crash victims, thereby underscoring the critical importance of the pillars of 'respect' and 'collaboration.' Thus, the initiative also aims to educate the citizens of India about the Good Samaritan Law.

The long-term goal of this initiative is to nudge a behavioural change among people concerning road safety. To achieve this, the initiative has been expanded with eight regional chapters to delve deeper into the issues and challenges faced on the roads and to extend conversations on the themes of Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan to different parts of the country. The eight cities, namely Chennai, Bengaluru, Kanpur, Indore, Nagpur, Jaipur, Chandigarh, and Patna, have been identified based on the severity of road safety issues they face. Additionally, cross-country school and college activations have also been incorporated as an active part of the initiative to further spread awareness nationwide. The initiative will culminate in a grand Telethon featuring renowned celebrities, experts, and key opinion leaders from different fields and parts of the country.

The Telethon, scheduled for February 3, 2024, will be broadcast live exclusively on CNN News18's digital platforms. Key speakers at the telethon, including Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari), philanthropist and actor Amitabh Bachchan, writer and social contributor Prasoon Joshi, author, philanthropist and social worker Sudha Murty, Actor and social initiator R Madhavan, and actor and environmental advocate Pankaj Tripathi will address vital road safety issues, sharing their insights to raise awareness about road safety rules.

An initiative such as the SSA plays a crucial role in educating the public, advocating responsible behaviour, and collectively working towards a safer and more secure road environment. As we move forward, continued collaboration and commitment to road safety will be paramount in building a culture of responsible and cautious road users, contributing to the overall well-being of communities across the nation.

Be the change you wish to see in the world. Join Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan 2024, and let’s save precious lives together.