National Road Safety Week is observed annually across India from January 11-17 to raise awareness about road safety by emphasizing responsible driving, pedestrian protection, and the importance of improved road infrastructure.
- 2026 marks the observance of the 37th National Road Safety Week
Exam Hints:
- What? National Road Safety Week 2026
- When? January 11-17, 2026
- National Road Safety Month(NRSM): January 1 to 31, 2026
- 2026 Theme: “Sadak Suraksha Jeevan Raksha” (Road Safety, Life Safety)
- Organiser: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
- Objective: Promote road safety awareness and reduce road accidents
Background:
Inception: The first National Road Safety Week was introduced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in 1989.
Expansion: The observance was extended to a month-long campaign in 2021.
Support: The annual observance is led by the MoRTH with support from the National Safety Council of India (NSC) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E) to promote road safety awareness nationwide.
National Road Safety Month (NRSM) 2026:
Origin: The NRSM, introduced by MoRTH, was first observed in 2021.
2026 Observance: In 2026, NRSM is being observed from January 1 to 31, 2026 with the theme “Sadak Suraksha Jeevan Raksha(Road Safety, Life Safety)” to promote awareness among citizens and stakeholders.
UN Global Road Safety Week (UNGRSW):
Overview: The United Nations Global Road Safety Week (UNGRSW) is a biennial campaign, hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO), to raise awareness about road safety and reduce road deaths.
Timing: The week-long event is observed globally in May, with the 2025 edition held from May 12–18, 2025.
Resolution: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the “Improving Global Road Safety” resolution, aiming to prevent at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.
Road Safety Support Schemes in India:
Cashless Treatment: Road accident victims are eligible for free medical treatment up to Rs. 1.5 lakh for seven days on all road types, funded through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF).
Good Samaritan Scheme (Rah-Veer): It encourages bystanders to assist accident victims during the Golden Hour by offering a cash reward of Rs. 25,000 per incident (up to five times a year) along with a Certificate of Appreciation.
- It also provides legal protection under Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, (MVAA) 2019, shielding helpers from police or hospital-related hassles.
About Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH):
Union Minister– Nitin Jairam Gadkari (Constituency-Nagpur, Maharashtra)
Minister of State (MoS)- Harsh Malhotra (Rajya Sabha- East Delhi, Delhi); Ajay Tamta (Constituency- Almora, Uttarakhand)
