Dear Readers,
As the colours of joy, unity, and celebration spread across our streets this Holi, they also remind us of the shared spaces we move through every day. Festive cheer often brings crowded roads and hurried travel, making road safety more important than ever. In these moments, slowing down, staying alert, avoiding drunk driving, and wearing seatbelts are more than precautions, they are acts of care for ourselves and for others around us.
Even as this season brings warmth and celebration, there is an acute awareness of the countless families across India whose festivities are overshadowed by the void left by road tragedies. In 2024, fatalities surged to over 1.77 lakh, reminding us that every journey holds a dream that must be protected. This time of year, which also follows the reflection and resolve of the New Year and the focus of National Road Safety Month in January 2026, calls on us to renew our commitment to “Sadak Suraksha Jeevan Raksha.”
The spirit of both celebration and reflection offers a clear path forward. It calls for scientific road planning, stronger enforcement, and compassionate emergency response. With coordinated action among policymakers, stakeholders, and communities, we can ensure that safety becomes as integral to our streets as celebration itself, and that in 2026, we move closer to the Zero Fatality Vision.
This Holi, may our celebrations be vibrant, mindful, and safe. And may the year ahead be one where every journey is valued and protected.
Wishing you a safe and colourful Holi 🌸 and a much safer year ahead,
Road Safety Network (RSN)