Warmly welcoming the participants to the Seminar, Mr. G. Sharan, Chairman, IRF IC elaborated on the long and distinguished record of various activities of IRF IC and the incremental knowledge that would emerge from the deliberations of the Seminar.

The Seminar, inaugurated by the Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRT&H), deliberated on different topics such as Design for Safety, Environmental Protection of Construction Projects, Technology, Safety during Construction and Safety Issues and Risks.

Mr. K.K. Kapila, Chairman, IRF, delivered the Keynote address elaborating on the five E’s of Road safety, which is the key to improvement in the road safety scenario in the country.

Professionals from Government, Industry and the Multilateral Institutions well versed with the road sector and related aspects addressed the sessions and elaborated on the sub-themes related to the seminar theme, making for an in-depth analysis of the various issues involved.

The Seminar was well attended by delegates and invitees representing all major stakeholders of the road sector; Ministry of Road Transport, National Highways Authority of India, State Departments and Institutions, road sector consultants, suppliers, manufacturers, contractors and concessionaires, ITS companies, environment experts etc.

The diverse participation of experts and their intellectual exchanges during the various Technical sessions have been captured in the Recommendations of the Seminar and sent to the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways for their consideration and appropriate policy formulation.

IRF has been undertaking initiatives under the 4Es – Engineering (roads and vehicular), Education (bring about attitudinal change in the school children through consistent road safety education; education of masses through mass media campaigns – screening of short films in cinemas, etc.), Emergency Care towards strengthening trauma management during pre-hospital care, Enforcement for better traffic and road user management.

The Featured Event on Road Safety covered on 3 aspects, through Panel discussions on:

• Safe Roads, Safe Vehicles, Safe Riding
• Education, Advocacy, Behaviour and Enforcement
• Trauma Care during the Golden Hour

Panel discussion 1 focused on road infrastructure and safety features of vehicles, external modifications of vehicles, annual inspections, etc.

Panel discussion 2 examined how road safety education at school levels influences the attitudes towards road safety, advocacy to influence peer groups, road user behaviour in a given circumstance and enforcement to contain traffic offences and violations.

Panel discussion 3 discussed ways and means to create capacities of trained first responders, thereby saving precious lives.

The Recommendations arising out of these panel discussions were collated in the Concluding Session, and are being appropriately taken forward for implementation.