The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) took a proactive step towards addressing the issue of rising road accidents in India by organising the ‘Surakshit Safar’ (Safe Journey) Pavilion at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024. In collaboration with mobility solution provider Rosmerta, SIAM's Road Safety initiative focused on the 4Es: Education, Enforcement, Engineering, and Emergency Care.
The pavilion saw participation from OEMs like Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), Ashok Leyland, Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, and Eicher Motors. It attracted diverse visitors, including students, vehicle users, automotive and component manufacturers, road furniture manufacturers, emergency care providers, state institution employees, and enforcers. Stakeholders such as GARC, Natrax, ARAI, ASDC, JP Research, IHIF, and ICAT showcased their contributions to road safety.
The pavilion featured simulators, competitions, street plays, road safety awareness installations, CPR training, and free health check-ups. SIAM's initiative highlighted various facets of road safety through the 4Es, emphasising the importance of responsible behavior on the road. A "Run for Road Safety" initiative aimed at instilling responsible road behavior among young minds saw over 1200 school children participating. The event was flagged off by Anurag Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and Vinod Aggarwal, President of SIAM.
Jain emphasised the role of children in promoting good road safety practices, stating, "Children have to be aware of the dos and don'ts on the road. They can bring about greater learning amongst adults on good road safety practices."
The Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal, visited the Surakshit Safar Pavilion, acknowledging SIAM's efforts and aligning with the government's mission of building road safety awareness. He encouraged SIAM to create more such pavilions in key cities across India.