SAFE India: Advancing Road Safety for All

About SAFE India: A Nation-Building Non-Profit for Road Safety

SAFE India is a non-profit Nation Building Organization based in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, founded on May 11, 2015. Registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 (IGR), SAFE India is committed to saving lives and fostering a safer road environment. The organization believes that true development occurs through the decentralization of activities at the grassroots level, actively involving local communities in road safety initiatives.

SAFE India is actively engaged in various road safety platforms, holding memberships in key committees and alliances, including:

• Member of Parliaments' Road Safety Committee – Khordha
• Member of Road Safety Committee – New Delhi
• Member of the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety
• Member of the International Road Victims Partnership

Through these partnerships and grassroots efforts, SAFE India strives to create a safer, more sustainable road infrastructure.

Mr. Dilip Panda: President of SAFE India and Advocate for Road Safety

Mr. Dilip Panda, the President of SAFE India, has been a passionate advocate for road safety since 2015. His journey began when a close friend encouraged him to launch a pilot program focused on analyzing driver behavior and accreditation. During this initiative, Mr. Panda engaged directly with truck drivers, uncovering key issues such as the socio-economic struggles of commercial drivers, their family dynamics, harassment on the job, and the gaps in their skills and education. These experiences profoundly shaped his commitment to road safety.

As the leader of SAFE India, Mr. Panda's dedication goes beyond surface-level efforts. He recognized early on that addressing road safety challenges required deep expertise. Determined to build his own capacity, he rigorously studied the causes of accidents, road safety policies, global best practices, and educational frameworks designed to reduce road incidents. His ongoing quest for knowledge has become the foundation of his leadership at SAFE India, where he continues to push for safer roads and better working conditions for drivers across India.

SAFE India’s Initiatives

SAFE India is dedicated to evidence-based road safety activities aimed at reducing fatalities and accidents. All efforts are aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3:6 and SDG 11:2. Key initiatives include:

Road Safety Education & Emergency Response Training:

Focused on building road safety awareness among high school and college students. SAFE India has conducted programs in over 400 schools and colleges, reaching 50,000 students and 2,500 teachers. They also have under their belt the milestone of training 5,000 Red Cross volunteers and counselors.

Helmet and Road Safety Awareness:

Implemented helmet awareness and distribution programs in four states, reaching 100 schools and distributing 2,000 helmets to young students commuting on two-wheelers. Activities included drawing competitions, essay writing, and role-playing for road safety awareness, with parental involvement.

Road Safety Audits & Research:

SAFE India conducts research and audits to gather evidence for road safety advocacy. Notable studies include school zone audits, road audits, driver behavior studies, and socio-economic studies on truck drivers, such as the recent "Driver’s Voice" project on the Chennai-Bengaluru expressway.

Road Safety Drivers Accreditation System (RSDAS):

The Road Safety Drivers Accreditation System (RSDAS) is one of SAFE India's flagship programs, designed to address driver behavior as a key factor in road safety. RSDAS is designed to improve the driving habits of commercial drivers through a comprehensive training program that goes beyond technical skills. It focuses on behavioral aspects such as road safety awareness, adherence to traffic regulations, and respectful interactions with passengers and other road users. Additionally, the program recognizes the socio-economic challenges many drivers face, such as harassment, stress, and substance abuse. To address these issues, RSDAS includes modules on stress management, addiction recovery, and rehabilitation. By providing a holistic approach, the program not only promotes safer driving practices but also enhances the overall well-being of drivers. Since its launch, RSDAS has successfully trained around 25,000 drivers, including auto-rickshaw, truck, bus, and cab drivers across multiple states, and aspires to train every commercial vehicle driver in India to create safer roads for all.

Good Samaritan Law Awareness:

SAFE India conducts awareness programs for students, health workers, and the general public about the Good Samaritan Law, which protects bystanders from legal harassment when assisting road accident victims. Capacity-building workshops are also held for doctors and police officers.

Post-Crash Response:

Focuses on improving emergency response and care for road accident victims, aligning efforts with global best practices to reduce fatalities from post-accident injuries.

Safe School Zone Audit & Safety Rating:

SAFE India conducts audits of school zones to create safer environments for children. Pilot programs have been launched in Bihar and Gujarat to establish safe zones around schools.

Building Safer Roads: Prioritizing Education, Awareness, and Action

• Awareness of the Good Samaritan Law is crucial, as it protects bystanders who assist accident victims. Providing help during the golden hour can save lives, and if more bystanders step forward, we could prevent 50% of road fatalities, potentially saving around 75,000 lives annually.
• On average, 26 children lose their lives on the road each day, and 95% of school zones in India are unsafe. Ensuring the safety of children during transportation must be a top priority, and we must work urgently to make school zones safer.
• Road Safety Driving Behavioral Skill Training is essential for safe driving and should be mandatory for all. This training is especially critical for business houses, corporates, manufacturing units, government departments, transport operators, and cab service companies to ensure their drivers are equipped with the necessary skills for safer road practices.

The Road Safety Challenge: Recognizing and Engaging Key Stakeholders

One of the major challenges faced in the road safety sector is the lack of accountability and responsibility from the concerned authorities. Despite the critical nature of road safety, there is minimal recognition for individuals and organizations working tirelessly to save lives. Both government agencies and corporate entities often fail to engage actively in road safety initiatives or collaborate with civil society organizations dedicated to this cause. Without a unified effort, reducing fatalities and accidents becomes an uphill task. It is essential for all stakeholders to take responsibility and work together to make a real impact.

You can learn more them about here -