The Society for Automotive Fitness & Environment (SAFE), a body under the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), hosted its 25th Annual Convention in Bengaluru, Karnataka, focusing on the theme “United Efforts for Road Safety: Our Roads, Our Responsibility.” The event aimed to foster collaboration between industry leaders and government officials to enhance road safety, promote responsible driving, and improve vehicle safety across the country.
Karnataka’s Chief Minister, Shri Siddaramaiah, was the Chief Guest, with Deputy Chief Minister Shri D K Shivakumar and Transport Minister Dr Ramalinga Reddy as Guests of Honour. The event also featured participation from key industry figures and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), who shared insights on improving road safety and mobility.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah emphasized the state’s commitment to road safety through investments in infrastructure, technology, and education. He highlighted initiatives like improved traffic management and the launch of 5,000 electric buses as part of Karnataka’s sustainable mobility push. Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar pointed to the challenges of managing road safety in Bengaluru, calling for greater use of technology, such as artificial intelligence, to streamline traffic and improve safety standards.
Transport Minister Dr Ramalinga Reddy echoed these sentiments, stressing Karnataka’s leadership in road safety measures, technological advancements, and sustainable transportation goals. He noted the state’s efforts to make Bengaluru the first net-zero city in India.
Several road safety initiatives were launched during the convention, including a road safety slogan competition, free eye check-ups for bus drivers, and a helmet awareness campaign. The SIAM Context Paper, “Analysing India’s Imperatives for Road Safety,” was also unveiled, providing critical insights into India’s road safety landscape.
The event featured three plenary sessions covering leadership in road safety, emergency response, and technology innovation. Experts discussed various topics such as Sweden’s Vision Zero, the role of AI in road safety, and data-driven enforcement to reduce road fatalities. Prominent speakers included Sushant Naik of Tata Motors, Padma Shri Dr Narain Karthikeyan, and industry experts from Deloitte, Honda, and Google.
SIAM continues to push for sustainable and safer transportation through its various initiatives, including electric mobility, ethanol promotion, recycling, and hydrogen fuel development, in collaboration with governments and stakeholders across India.
Founded in 1999, SAFE is dedicated to improving road safety, vehicle fitness, and environmental sustainability through education, enforcement, and engineering advancements. The Annual Convention serves as a platform for sharing best practices and innovations in road safety and mobility.
