New Delhi, 19th June 2025: India is facing an unprecedented road safety crisis, with over 1.7 lakh lives lost in road crashes every year. Motorised two-wheelers account for nearly 37% of these fatalities, while pedestrians represent approximately 15%.
Despite these alarming figures, targeted policy interventions for vulnerable road users remain limited. To address this critical issue, SaveLIFE Foundation, in partnership with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), hosted a high-level expert brainstorming session at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi on Tuesday, 17 June.
The session, titled ‘Vulnerable Road User Safety: Expert Brainstorming Session’, brought together around 50 experts, including representatives from government, academia, medicine, urban planning, engineering, and civil society. Participants used the globally recognised Haddon’s Matrix framework to identify practical, evidence-based solutions in areas such as infrastructure design, vehicular safety, and road user behaviour.
Haddon’s Matrix is a tool used to understand road crashes by looking at what happens before, during, and after a crash, and the role of human, vehicle, environmental, and social factors.
Urban centres and inhabited areas along highways consistently witness higher pedestrian fatality rates, accounting for over 40% of traffic deaths in major metropolitan areas. Guided by Haddon’s Matrix, this session focused on four key themes to improve motorised two-wheeler and pedestrian safety: vehicle design, road user awareness, infrastructure, and policy enforcement.
The session brought together prominent experts from across sectors to deliberate on actionable solutions for vulnerable road users. Key participants included Shri Pankaj Aggarwal, Chief Engineer (RSE), Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH); Shri B.N. Singh, IAS, Transport Commissioner, Government of Uttar Pradesh; Dr. Girish Agrawal, Professor at the Transportation Research and Injury Prevention Centre, IIT Delhi; Dr. B. Mohammed Asheel, National Professional Officer at WHO India; and Dr. Rajat Rastogi, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Roorkee, Shri Vishal Chauhan, Member (Admn.), NHAI among others.
Addressing the meeting, Shri Vishal Chauhan, Member (Admn.), NHAI, said, “Every year, a significant number of lives are lost in road crashes, with nearly 60% of these fatalities involving two-wheeler riders and pedestrians. This is a clear indication that our current approach to road design needs urgent re-evaluation. We must prioritize the safety of the most vulnerable road users. We are encouraged by the work of SaveLIFE Foundation on the 100 most vulnerable road stretches in the country. Their efforts, backed by evidence, show that even low-cost interventions can lead to substantial reductions in crashes and fatalities. However, safer roads alone are not enough — strong enforcement of traffic laws, especially against speeding, remains critical. Speed continues to be one of the leading causes of fatalities on our roads, and addressing it is non-negotiable.”
Discussions covered key topics including safer vehicle standards, helmet quality and compliance, pedestrian awareness, inclusive road design, speed management, and enhanced enforcement strategies. Participants also worked to identify root causes of crashes, particularly those related to speed, and proposed evidence-based interventions across all phases of a crash.
Mr Piyush Tewari, Founder and CEO of SaveLIFE Foundation, said, “Improving the safety of motorised two-wheeler riders and pedestrians is not just a policy priority but a moral imperative. This session is a vital step toward building evidence-based, inclusive solutions that prioritise the most vulnerable. We’re grateful to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for their partnership and commitment to saving lives.”
With continued collaboration between the government, experts, and civil society, this initiative marks a significant step toward safer and more inclusive roads across the country.