Most road deaths in India come down to a handful of repeated habits. These are the practices Parivartan asks every participant, Torchbearer, and Suraksha Ambassador to follow — on every trip, not just the long ones.
For Two-Wheeler Riders
- Do wear a certified (ISI-marked) helmet, strapped correctly — every ride, every time, including short trips.
- Do maintain a safe following distance and reduce speed near intersections, schools, and markets.
- Don’t use a mobile phone or wear headphones while riding.
- Don’t ride against the flow of traffic (“wrong-siding”), even to save time.
- Don’t carry more than one pillion rider, and make sure they wear a helmet too.
For Truck & Commercial Vehicle Drivers
- Do take a break every two hours on long-haul routes — fatigue is one of the leading causes of highway accidents.
- Do check mirrors, indicators, tyre condition, and brakes before every trip.
- Don’t drive through the night without adequate rest — if you feel drowsy, stop and rest rather than push through.
- Don’t overload the vehicle beyond its rated capacity — it affects braking distance and stability.
- Don’t drive under the influence of alcohol, or medication that causes drowsiness.
For Everyone on the Road
- Do use seatbelts in every seat, every time, including on short or familiar routes.
- Do follow posted speed limits — over-speeding is the single largest contributor to road accident deaths in India.
- Don’t use a phone while driving, even at traffic signals.
- Don’t overtake on blind curves, near intersections, or in poor visibility.
- Don’t assume other road users will follow the rules — drive defensively.
If You Witness or Are Involved in an Accident
- Do move to safety and alert oncoming traffic using hazard lights or a warning triangle if you can.
- Do call for help immediately — 112 is India’s national emergency number.
- Don’t move a seriously injured person unless there is immediate danger such as fire or oncoming traffic — improper handling can worsen injuries.
- Don’t leave the scene. As a Good Samaritan you are legally protected in India when you help an accident victim.
Responsibilities of a Suraksha Ambassador
Completing a camp is the start, not the finish line. Every Suraksha Ambassador carries five ongoing responsibilities.
1. Lead by example, on every ride
- Being a Safety Ambassador does not exempt you from anything. You still pay the toll, still follow every traffic rule, and still wear your helmet or seatbelt on every trip — no exceptions.
- Avoid driving fatigued, distracted, or under the influence. You are the standard other drivers are watching.
- Keep your vehicle roadworthy: working lights, mirrors, tyres, and safety equipment.
2. Carry the message forward
- Share what you have learned with fellow drivers at your depot, on your route, or in your community — two, ten, or a hundred more.
- Speak up when you see unsafe practices among peers, such as overloading, wrong-side driving, or skipping helmets. Not to police them, but to remind them why it matters.
- Represent Parivartan and Project Suraksha honestly wherever you go. Your conduct reflects on the programme.
3. Keep learning
- Reach out to Parivartan to learn CPR, first aid, and emergency response — skills that could save a life at an accident site before help arrives.
- Attend refresher sessions or camps when they are held in your area, rather than treating one certification as the finish line.
- Stay updated on new safety guidelines, vehicle compliance requirements, and road safety practices as they evolve.
4. Be ready to respond
- If you witness an accident, know the basics: alert others, call for help on 112, and do not leave the scene. You are legally protected as a Good Samaritan in India.
- Use your CPR and first-aid training if you are ever in a position to help. Even basic intervention in the first few minutes can save a life.
5. Stay connected to the programme
- Keep in touch with Parivartan and respond when contacted for future camps, surveys, or refresher training.
- Help identify other drivers or roadside workers who could benefit from joining a camp.
- Wear or display your Safety Ambassador badge or certificate when appropriate — it signals to other drivers that safety is something to be proud of, not just a rule to follow.