US-based NRI doctors and the Big B come together for road safety in India

India’s road safety initiatives may be seen as few and far apart but the fact that the message is beginning to spread, there is no doubt.  

With a view to bringing about greater awareness among people to take necessary precautions and avoid road accidents, actor Amitabh Bachchan will lead a campaign on road safety initiated by the Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) and pharma company, Abbott. As part of this campaign, doctors at clinics and hospitals across India will be provided with a poster, containing key messages on road safety endorsed by Bachchan.

“I am with you in this campaign to create awareness about head injury and trauma because of road accidents”, said Bachchan in a press statement issued by Abbott.

“AAPI is committed to building the right foundation to address the serious concerns of head injury and trauma,” said Dr. Ravi Jahagirdar, president of AAPI.

Abbott along with AAPI have undertaken  a country-wide road safety awareness drive potentially reaching more than 800,000 people. Abbott’s field force, in partnership with doctors in clinics and hospitals across the country, will dedicate the day to sensitise the public on safety principles, safe driving tips and encourage them to take the pledge for safe driving by following easy and actionable points.

Overspeeding, inadequate protection (not wearing helmets/seatbelts), distracted driving (use of mobile phone, etc.) and not being alert are some of the key reasons recorded for road accidents.

"With our vision of 'Zero Injury Zero Incidents', Abbott’s field force is trained on safe two-wheeler driving. This has resulted in reduction in accidents to the tune of 83 percent amongst Abbott employees," said Bhasker Iyer, Abbott management representative in India.

"AAPI has been working with multiple stakeholders and professional associations like NSI, NSSI and AASAN in developing the first trauma and brain injury guidelines for India," said Anwar Feroz Siddiqi, honorary advisor to AAPI. "We will be partnering with companies like Abbott and Medtronic to take these guidelines to doctors across the country."

Incidentally, the UN Road safety week begins on May 4 and this publication is hosting a webinar on the topic that will bring global and Indian experts to bear on the topic from an Indian perspective.