Dehradun, Nov 15 (JKNS): On the occasion of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, a webinar was jointly organised by Sanjay Orthopaedic, Spine and Maternity Centre and SHEWA Society to create awareness about road safety, prevention of road crashes, trauma care and rehabilitation.
Distinguished individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, along with students, participated in the webinar, highlighting the importance of making road safety a shared responsibility.
Padma Shri awardee Prof. Dr. B. K. S. Sanjay emphasised that the time, money and resources spent treating road crash victims should instead be invested in prevention, reiterating that “prevention is better than cure.” Referring to the recent Kaziranga National Park road crash, in which 26 people reportedly lost their lives and 16 were injured, he highlighted concerns regarding alleged overspeeding, overloading and driver fatigue.
He stressed that road safety is an essential part of everyday life, as almost every activity, including education, employment and entertainment, involves travelling. He called upon the government and citizens to work together to develop responsible road safety behaviour.
Dr. Gaurav Sanjay, Treasurer of the Uttarakhand Orthopaedic Association (UOA) and co-author of the book Bharat Mein Sadak Durghatnayen, shared the deeply moving experience of losing a friend in a road crash. He spoke about the emotional and social difficulties faced by the bereaved family, reminding everyone that a road crash affects not just the victim but an entire family.
Dr. Gaurav also hosted and moderated the webinar and concluded with an appeal to the public to follow traffic rules. Dr. Bhaskar Sarkar of AIIMS Rishikesh emphasised that everyone must practise road safety by following traffic rules. He also explained the essentials of trauma first aid and reminded participants that most road crashes are preventable.
Dr. Himanshu Kochhar of Max Hospital, Dehradun, drew attention to driver fatigue as a major risk factor for road crashes. He stressed that adequate rest and alertness are essential and that nobody should drive when tired. Dr. Praveen Mittal, President-elect of the UOA, highlighted the importance of physical and occupational rehabilitation for road crash victims. He observed that although surgeons can save lives and treat serious injuries, some victims are left with permanent disabilities. Helping them regain independence and return to productive lives is a collective responsibility. Dr. Rakesh Dangwal, social worker, emphasised that road safety concerns everyone because the consequences of a crash are shared by victims, families, friends, society and the nation. He stressed that respect for traffic rules should be inculcated from childhood and that drivers must exercise patience and restraint while behind the wheel.
Hand surgeon Dr. Ruchit Khera of Subharti Hospital pointed out that saving lives must go hand in hand with preventing long-term disabilities and loss of livelihood. He also encouraged the use of protective gloves, particularly by two-wheeler riders, to reduce the risk of hand injuries. Mr. B. K. Prakash of the Brahma Kumaris Centre, Bithoor, Kanpur, appreciated the efforts of Prof. Dr. B. K. S. Sanjay and his son, Dr. Gaurav Sanjay, in spreading awareness about important social and administrative issues, particularly road safety. The webinar concluded with a common message that road safety is not merely about following traffic rules; it is about protecting human lives, preventing families from suffering irreversible losses and building a safer society. Every life matters, and every crash prevented is a family saved from lifelong grief. (JKNS)
