Paras Health and Gurugram Traffic Police unite for road safety awareness drive

New Delhi: In a bid to address the alarming rate of road accidents and fatalities in India, Paras Health, Gurugram, has joined hands with the Gurugram Traffic Police to kickstart a comprehensive road safety awareness program.

The initiative, which commenced at two of Gurugram’s busiest traffic spots – the Huda Millennium City Centre traffic signal and Ardee City Traffic signal – seeks to enlighten the public about the critical importance of adopting safe driving practices and understanding the profound link between road safety and overall health.

Through engaging slogans like “Stay Alert, Don’t Get Hurt,” “Don’t Drink and Drive, You Might Spill Your Life,” “Buckle Up, Drive Safe,” “Faster is Fatal, Slower is Safe,” and “Respect the Signs, Dangers Decline,” participants were reminded to prioritize safety on the roads.

Road accidents pose a significant threat to public safety in India, contributing to preventable injuries and fatalities. According to a report by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on Road Accidents 2022, India witnessed over 1.5 lakh road accident deaths, averaging to 53 road accidents and 19 deaths per hour. Globally, statistics from the World Health Organization paint a similarly grim picture, with an estimated 1.35 million people succumbing to road traffic crashes annually and 20 to 50 million individuals sustaining non-fatal injuries, 10 million of which suffer permanent disabilities.

Seema Vig, Facility Director at Paras Health Gurugram, emphasized the strong correlation between health and road safety, stating, “These accidents not only cause immense emotional distress to families but also place a significant burden on the healthcare system. Many road accident victims require hospitalization, often for extended periods, for surgeries, rehabilitation, and treatment of chronic pain.  These injuries can have a lifelong impact on a person’s health and well-being, reflecting the need for collaborative efforts to ensure road safety and overall health.”

Echoing these sentiments, Balraj Dahiya, Inspector Gurugram Traffic Police, lauded Paras Hospital’s initiative and stressed the importance of collaborative efforts in promoting road safety. “By promoting road safety awareness, we can significantly reduce the number of accidents and fatalities on our roads,” he asserted. “We commend Paras Hospital for taking this initiative and collaborating with us to make our roads safer for everyone. These collaborative efforts between healthcare providers and law enforcement agencies are crucial in promoting road safety and reducing the burden of road traffic injuries. We urge the public to heed the safety messages and make responsible choices while driving, as their actions can have a direct impact on their own health and the well-being of others.”