Children’s safety on Indian roads, particularly near school zones, is a pressing concern. With over 9,000 child fatalities annually due to road crashes, the need for urgent action is undeniable. A recent one-day workshop in Guwahati, organized by SaveLIFE Foundation in collaboration with Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, aimed to tackle this issue head-on by bringing together key stakeholders to devise effective solutions.
The workshop saw participation from around 45 officials representing Assam Police, PWD, the National Highways Authority of India, and local schools. The goal was clear – to equip attendees with data-driven strategies for making school zones safer. Jayanta Sarathi Borah, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) in Guwahati, emphasized the importance of collaboration, urging everyone to take ownership of child safety on roads. “Drive as if every child on the street were your own,” he said.
Abhijit Chaudhary, Member Secretary of the District Road Safety Committee, highlighted the workshop’s focus on practical interventions. “Protecting children is a shared responsibility,” he noted, stressing the need for coordinated efforts between urban planners, schools, and enforcement agencies. The session provided insights from safety audits conducted across Guwahati and other regions, helping participants understand existing risks and potential solutions.
Gaurav Upadhyay, Additional Secretary of Assam’s Transport Department, called child road safety a matter of public health and human rights. He praised the initiative by SaveLIFE Foundation and Skoda Auto Volkswagen for fostering dialogue on this critical issue. The workshop wasn’t just about discussions – it included hands-on sessions where stakeholders identified road safety problems and brainstormed practical fixes.
Piyush Tewari, CEO of SaveLIFE Foundation, reiterated the foundation’s commitment to safer school zones. “No child should risk their life just to get to school,” he said, emphasizing the role of data in shaping effective policies. The workshop also explored international best practices, ensuring that solutions weren’t just theoretical but grounded in proven methods.
By the end of the session, attendees worked together to draft localized school zone improvement plans. This initiative is part of a larger effort by SaveLIFE Foundation and Skoda Auto Volkswagen to protect vulnerable road users across India. With actionable insights and a collaborative mindset, Assam is taking meaningful steps toward safer roads for its youngest citizens.