MoRTH and SaveLIFE Foundation Organise Expert Session on Two-Wheeler and Pedestrian Safety in India

With over 1.7 lakh road crash fatalities reported annually in India, motorised two-wheelers and pedestrians account for a significant share of these deaths—around 37% and 15% respectively. In an effort to address this pressing issue, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), in collaboration with SaveLIFE Foundation, organised a high-level expert brainstorming session on 17 June at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.

The event, titled ‘Vulnerable Road User Safety: Expert Brainstorming Session’, brought together nearly 50 experts representing government bodies, academia, urban planning, medicine, engineering, and civil society. The discussion was structured around Haddon’s Matrix—a globally recognised framework that analyses road crashes across the pre-crash, crash, and post-crash phases by considering human, vehicle, environmental, and social factors.

Participants explored key areas such as vehicle design, user awareness, infrastructure improvements, and policy enforcement to identify practical solutions aimed at reducing fatalities and injuries among vulnerable road users. A particular focus was given to the high pedestrian fatality rates in urban areas and regions adjacent to highways, where these deaths account for over 40% of total traffic fatalities in metropolitan centres.

Speaking at the session, Vishal Chauhan, Member (Admn.), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), noted that nearly 60% of all road crash deaths involve two-wheeler riders and pedestrians. He stressed the importance of rethinking existing road design and enforcement mechanisms. Citing SaveLIFE Foundation’s work on the 100 most vulnerable road stretches in India, he mentioned that low-cost, data-driven interventions have shown positive outcomes in reducing crashes. He also emphasised that stricter enforcement, especially against speeding, remains a critical factor in improving road safety.

The session included detailed discussions on safer vehicle standards, helmet usage and quality, public awareness, inclusive road design, speed management, and the need for stronger enforcement. Participants worked to identify root causes of crashes and proposed actionable, evidence-based measures across all stages of a crash.

Piyush Tewari, Founder and CEO of SaveLIFE Foundation, said the session aimed to create an inclusive platform to discuss and develop practical safety measures for vulnerable road users. He acknowledged MoRTH’s support and underlined the importance of sustained collaboration in reducing road fatalities.