New Delhi (India), June 17: Road safety has become a global crisis, with road traffic injuries being the leading cause of death and injury worldwide. According to the latest statistics, road traffic accidents are the primary cause of death for individuals aged 15 to 49 years. Globally, approximately 1.3 million lives are lost every year due to road traffic crashes.
India, with one of the largest road networks globally, has the highest number of road accident deaths among 199 countries. The country accounts for nearly 11% of all accident-related deaths worldwide. On average, 1.5 lakh people die in India each year due to road accidents, equating to about 1,130 accidents and 422 deaths daily, or 47 accidents and 18 deaths per hour. This represents a serious concern with severe socioeconomic consequences.
In response to this, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) in India has implemented a comprehensive road safety strategy focusing on the 4-Es: Education, Engineering, Enforcement, and Emergency Care.
The post-crash response time plays a critical role in reducing fatalities and property loss. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), improving post-accident rescue operations is one of the five pillars of road safety. In India, nearly 50% of lives could be saved if accident victims received timely assistance during the Golden Hour. This could be achieved if bystanders act as Good Samaritans, providing first aid, alerting nearby hospitals and the police, or transporting victims to hospitals if an ambulance is delayed.
During the inauguration of RakshaQR, Mr. Akhilesh Srivastava, Road Safety Ambassador, and the leader of the World Economic Forum’s Road Safety 2.0 pilot initiative, discussed the importance of technological interventions. He highlighted that while bystanders are expected to act, practical challenges exist unless supported by technology. This philosophy is central to Road Safety 2.0, which advocates for the use of technology to improve road safety.
Highway Delite, an innovative startup, has introduced RakshaQR, an emergency response tool that allows bystanders to scan a vehicle’s RakshaQR code and immediately notify the victim’s family members. The call is routed through a virtual number to maintain privacy for both the informant and the victim’s family. The backend team at Highway Delite simultaneously alerts nearby hospitals and police stations with the location details, ensuring swift emergency care.
Through RakshaQR, vehicle owners can register personal information, including blood group, vehicle insurance, medical insurance, and emergency contact details. This sensitive information is encrypted and can be accessed by the family contact via SMS in case of an accident. It is also visible on the registered vehicle owner’s profile.
Mr. Kiran Kapila, President Emeritus of the International Road Federation (India Chapter), praised RakshaQR as a significant advancement in road safety. He emphasized that it would complement ongoing Bystander Training Programs and add substantial value to road safety initiatives.
Mr. Akhilesh Srivastava encouraged stakeholders to further develop technology-enabled solutions that connect the Digital Bystander. He recommended that MoRTH provide API-based access to the Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD) system, allowing innovative startups like Highway Delite to integrate data to save lives on highways. In the next phase, Highway Delite plans to create a complete digital track record of accident notifications, emergency care availability, and integration with insurance companies.
Additionally, RakshaQR provides vehicle owners with notifications for unattended vehicle scenarios, including wrong parking, unauthorized parking, or issues like fuel leaks, windows left open, and keys left inside. Bystanders or traffic police can inform vehicle owners through calls or SMS by scanning the RakshaQR code with their smartphones. The system works seamlessly in a web environment, eliminating the need for any mobile app downloads. The notification system is compatible with all types of vehicles, including 2-wheelers, 4-wheelers, and commercial vehicles.
Mr. Akhilesh Srivastava concluded by stating that this is just the first phase of RakshaQR, with future plans to enhance it by integrating real-time data from ambulances, hospitals, OEMs, police stations, NHAI, PWDs, and other transport departments to improve response times and medical assistance during accidents.
About Highway Delite:
Highway Delite, a digitally connected mobility services platform, serves over 10 lakh customers. The company offers a variety of services, including verified highway amenities, RakshaQR, FASTag, GPS tracking, EV Charging stations, insurance, road safety products, and more. Highway Delite collaborates with over 10,000 field partners, 1,000 OEM dealerships, and various tourism departments, auto OEMs, OMCs, transport departments, and banks.
For more information, visit: https://highwaydelite.com/#/home
Rajneesh Singh is a journalist at Asian News, specializing in entertainment, culture, international affairs, and financial technology. With a keen eye for the latest trends and developments, he delivers fresh, insightful perspectives to his audience. Rajneesh’s passion for storytelling and thorough reporting has established him as a trusted voice in the industry.
