The Centre of Excellence for Road Safety (CoERS) from IIT Madras organized a hands-on workshop at the NCC Training Academy in Nagrota, aiming to foster a strong culture of road safety among young cadets. The event, led by a team of road safety experts including Col Sanjiv Sharma (Retd), Ms. Himani Suri, Mr. Allan Winston, and Mr. Samuel Sathiyanathan, sought to promote life-saving habits and highlight the importance of safe driving practices.
Throughout the session, the CoERS team emphasized the high human cost of road accidents, underscoring that preventable crashes claim lives daily. Through an interactive format, they discussed the importance of individual responsibility in road safety, stressing that every road user has a role to play. “It’s not just about protecting ourselves but about protecting others as well,” the team reminded the cadets.
The workshop featured practical demonstrations, with the CoERS team sharing safety tips and involving cadets in discussions on real-world scenarios. Key statistics were presented to illustrate how minor lapses in judgment can lead to severe consequences. Ms. Himani Suri highlighted the role of infrastructure and behavior change in road safety, while Mr. Allan Winston addressed how basic measures like wearing seat belts and adhering to speed limits can significantly reduce accident risks. Mr. Samuel Sathiyanathan inspired cadets with stories of regions where strategic safety interventions led to a notable drop in road fatalities.
One of the session’s standout components was a hands-on introduction to road safety audits and best practices, giving cadets practical knowledge in assessing and enhancing safety on the roads. The CoERS team wrapped up their visit with an inspiring call to action, urging every cadet to practice caution and patience on the road. Ms. Suri reminded the cadets, “Drive with caution and let patience lead the way,” and emphasized the need for continuous road safety education.
The collaboration between CoERS and the NCC represents a strong commitment to instilling road safety values in India’s youth. By fostering accountability and respect for traffic rules, this initiative aims to build a generation of drivers who prioritize safety, ultimately contributing to a safer road network across the country.
“Road safety is everyone’s duty and a matter of national importance,” the team concluded, highlighting the importance of responsible driving habits for both personal and public safety.(pr)