The Society for Automotive Fitness & Environment (SAFE), an initiative of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), hosted the 27th SAFE Annual Convention in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, under the Safe Journey (सुरक्षित सफर) initiative. Organised in association with the Transport Department and Gujarat Road Safety Authority, Government of Gujarat, the convention was themed ‘Safe Journey: A Collective Journey Towards Safety with Responsibility’ (सुरक्षित सफ़र: सुरक्षा और ज़िम्मेदारी की ओर एक सांझी यात्रा). The convention brought together policymakers, industry representatives, road safety experts and other stakeholders to deliberate on responsible road use, stronger safety practices and coordinated approaches to improving road safety across India.
Chief Guest Pravin Gordhanji Mali, Minister of State, Forests and Environment, Climate Change, Transport, Government of Gujarat, said, “Building a culture of respect on our roads is essential if we want to reduce fatalities and make mobility safer. Awareness, behaviour and civic sense are just as important as technology in improving road safety.”
P R Patelia, Secretary, Roads & Buildings Department, Government of Gujarat, said, “In India, we have seven or eight different categories of vehicles on roads impacting the traffic mix, along with many other road users. The more innovative solutions we develop by brainstorming, the better equipped we will be to address our road safety challenges.”
Satish Patel, IAS (Retd.), Commissioner, Gujarat Road Safety Authority, Government of Gujarat, said road safety remained a major challenge and called for continued collective efforts to address it. Sahitya V, IPS, Superintendent of Police, Government of Gujarat, highlighted the need to consider the safety of people outside vehicles alongside driver safety, including through technology-led interventions.
Alok Jaitley, President, SAFE and Executive Officer, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, said, “India’s growth aspirations demand a mobility ecosystem that not only fuels economic development, enhances connectivity and expands opportunities for millions, but also does so in a manner that is safe, responsible, efficient and environmentally sustainable. Road safety is a shared responsibility.”
The inaugural session, ‘A Systems Approach to Road Safety in India’, featured the launch of the SIAM-SAFE Context Paper, ‘Analysing India’s Imperatives for Road Safety’. The Minister also launched the HMSI–Gujarat Road Safety Authority Road Safety Project in Ahmedabad and the NID–Gujarat Road Safety Authority Road Safety Awareness Project in Gandhinagar.
Twelve Road Safety Warriors of Gujarat were recognised for their contributions to road safety. The Minister also inaugurated the Sustainable Mobility Expo, featuring 10 vehicles from leading OEMs and a VECV eye check-up van. Participating companies included Hero MotoCorp, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, TVS, Mahindra & Mahindra, Skoda, Ashok Leyland/Switch, Maruti Suzuki India and VE Commercial Vehicles.
The convention featured sessions on data-driven enforcement, behavioural education, engineering, emergency care and evaluation. A fireside chat, ‘5Es, One Mission: Safer Roads, Safer Lives,’ examined Education, Engineering, Enforcement, Emergency Care and Evaluation as interconnected pillars of road safety.
The second thematic session focused on behavioural education and technology interventions, bringing together experts from government, academia, automotive companies and research institutions to discuss technology, vehicle engineering and road-user awareness.
Atanu Ganguli, Executive Director – Technical, SIAM, said, “The safest vehicle is not a substitute for the safest road, and the safest road cannot compensate indefinitely for unsafe behaviour. We need all three.” SAFE and SIAM continue to work with policymakers, industry and other stakeholders to promote safer, cleaner and sustainable mobility in India through technology adoption, responsible road use, alternative fuels and sustainable practices.
The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) is the apex national body representing major vehicle and vehicular engine manufacturers in India. Registered as a society with charitable objectives under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, SIAM works to strengthen the contribution of the automobile industry to India’s economic growth and development while supporting the sector in meeting its social responsibilities.
The organisation promotes efficiency and competitiveness across the automotive industry and undertakes initiatives focused on environmental improvement, road safety and the protection of vehicle users and the public. In recognition of its charitable objectives, SIAM is registered as an institution with charitable purpose under the Income Tax Act, 1961.
