A crucial seminar focusing on the escalating crisis of road traffic accidents was held in Shillong, drawing urgent attention to the perilous situation in the northeastern region. The North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) organized this vital event on December 22.
Alarming Statistics and a Call for Action
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Dr. BKS Sanjay, President of AIIMS Guwahati, Padma Shri awardee, and Guinness World Record holder, voiced deep concern. He highlighted a grim reality: nearly 90% of all road accidents in India stem from human negligence and are therefore largely preventable. He pinpointed rash driving as the primary culprit, describing it as a behavioural issue that requires correction through sustained awareness, education, and disciplined practices behind the wheel.
Dr. Sanjay presented a particularly worrying comparison for Meghalaya. He stated that the state's road accident fatality rate is significantly higher than the national average, even exceeding rates in some other hilly states. Citing recent multi-casualty incidents, he stressed the immediate need for robust preventive measures.
The Human Cost and Simple Preventative Steps
Echoing the sentiment, road safety activist and orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Gaurav Sanjay elaborated on the profound human cost of traffic injuries. He emphasised that basic, life-saving measures are often ignored. Consistently wearing helmets and seat belts, he argued, can drastically reduce both the probability and the severity of injuries in the event of a crash.
A Unified Push for Stricter Enforcement
The seminar concluded with a powerful, unified message for both the public and the authorities. Prof. BKS Sanjay called for decisive action on multiple fronts. He insisted that strict adherence to traffic rules, responsible driving, enhanced traffic education, widespread awareness programs, and rigorous enforcement of road safety laws are non-negotiable components in the mission to save lives on the roads.
The organizers, Prof. Bhaskar Borgohain, Head of the Department of Orthopaedics, and Prof. Star Pala from the Department of Community Medicine at NEIGRIHMS, were commended for creating a platform to share these critical insights on road safety.
