– Why the need?
Every year in Bangalore, around 5,000 people are killed on the roads. Road injuries alone account for nearly 900 deaths and hospitalization of an estimated 10,000 people.

Who are involved?
In an effort to make roads a lot safer (!), city traffic police and NIMHANS will launch a Road Traffic Injury Surveillance Programme that will help to develop specific road safety plans.
Who are the sponsors?
This programme is being initiated by union ministry of health and family welfare, Indian Council of Medical Research and World Health Organization, India chapter.
What’s the plan?
Starting March, data will be collected from 25 leading private and public hospitals along with BMTC/KSRTC and NGOs. Systematic information on all deaths and injuries caused due to road accidents will be collected and analyzed to identify and develop the programme. Many countries, except India, have well-established surveillance systems. Hence the need to develop prevention, trauma care and rehabilitation programmes through evidence-based approaches.

Sure enough a good reason to be awaken and get started. This has a potential to save many lives, as usual such initiatives need to be consistent in implementations and monitoring…isn’t it?