Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday stressed the importance of technology, awareness, and responsible driving habits in improving road safety in India. Speaking at an Uber event, he said simple steps like wearing helmets, using seat belts, and following traffic rules can help reduce road accident deaths. Gadkari said India records nearly 5 lakh road accidents and around 1.80 lakh fatalities every year. He highlighted the importance of the “Golden Hour” after accidents, saying timely help can save lives. He also spoke about the Rah-Veer (Good Samaritan) Scheme, under which people who help accident victims get medical assistance during the Golden Hour can receive ₹25,000 and a certificate of appreciation. The minister said the government is working on road safety through the 4Es approach — Education, Engineering, Enforcement, and Emergency Care. He added that around ₹50,000 crore has been spent on removing accident-prone black spots on highways. Uber also announced new safety measures, including a feature to securely record in-cab videos and ambulance assistance integration to improve emergency response during trips.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.