Date: 18 July 2026
Venue: Abiram Hotel, Cuddalore
Time: 10 am - 2 pm
Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG), with the support of the Tamil Nadu Consumer Education and Development Foundation (TAMCED), organised a conference, bringing together all stakeholders, on road safety at Abiram Hotel, Cuddalore. The workshop focused on the need for a robust State Road Safety Action Plan that can be translated into district-level action plans, while addressing the growing burden of road crashes and fatalities in Tamil Nadu.
The workshop was organised against the backdrop of rising road crash fatalities in India. Road crash deaths have shown a consistent upward trend since 2005, increasing by 2.5% in 2024 compared to 2023. Tamil Nadu recorded the highest number of road crashes in the country for the seventh consecutive year in 2024, reporting 18,449 road crash fatalities. Cuddalore district alone recorded 3,121 road crashes and 585 fatalities, underscoring the need for coordinated interventions at the district level.
Cuddalore District Collector Mr. Sibi Adhithya Senthilkumar addressing the participants
The keynote address was delivered by the District Collector of Cuddalore, Mr. Sibi Adhithya Senthilkumar. He highlighted the vulnerability of pedestrians and two-wheeler riders, noting that while public attention often focuses on crashes involving buses and cars, the majority of fatalities occur among these vulnerable road users. Referring to Tamil Nadu's leadership in adopting a Road Safety Policy in 2007, ahead of the National Road Safety Policy, he emphasised the importance of developing an updated and structured State Road Safety Action Plan to help achieve the national target of reducing road crash deaths by 50% by 2030.
Mr. Arul Selvam of TAMCED delivering the welcome address
Ms. Nina, Senior Researcher and Ms. Kavipriya, Researcher from CAG presented the current road safety scenario in Tamil Nadu and Cuddalore and highlighted the need for a comprehensive State Road Safety Action Plan, supported by district-level Road Safety Action Plans that would bring together all relevant departments under a coordinated institutional framework. They emphasised that adopting the Safe System approach, using data to guide decision-making, setting measurable targets, and clearly defining departmental responsibilities are essential for reducing road crashes and fatalities. They also stressed the need to implement appropriate speed limits, particularly around schools and in areas with high pedestrian activity.
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr. S. Thamizh Iniyan, spoke about the role of enforcement and public awareness in improving road safety. He reminded road users to wear helmets, avoid speeding, refrain from using mobile phones while driving, and never drive under the influence of alcohol. He stressed that behavioural change, supported by sustained awareness campaigns and effective enforcement, is essential to reducing road crashes.
Senior Researcher at CAG Ms. Nina Subramani presenting on the importance of a State Road Safety Action Plan
Dr. M. V. Thambaiah, Superintendent of the Government Hospital, Cuddalore, highlighted the importance of timely trauma care following a road crash. He explained the significance of the "platinum minutes"—the first ten minutes after a crash—and the "golden hour," during which prompt emergency medical care can significantly improve survival outcomes.
The conference brought together representatives from government departments, enforcement agencies, consumer organisations, the health and education sectors, transport authorities, hotel owners' associations, Cuddalore City Council, traders' associations, commercial and driver associations, civil society organisations, resident welfare associations, and members of the public. The diverse participation enabled discussions on the road safety challenges specific to Cuddalore and the measures required to address them.
State Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Fishermen's Association, Mr. Gajendran, highlighted the complete absence of continuous footpaths and safe pedestrian crossings in several parts of Cuddalore, forcing pedestrians to walk on the carriageway and increasing their risk of road crashes. He called for the provision of adequate pedestrian infrastructure, particularly footpaths and safe crossing facilities at intersections.
Ms. Jaya, representing the Women's Self-Help Group Federation, drew attention to the lack of regular and reliable public bus services in rural areas. She noted that inadequate public transport forces many people to use two-wheelers to transport agricultural produce, exposing them to greater crash risks.
Participants of the Cuddalore District Road Safety Conference
Ex-Forest Officer (Research), Mr. Sairam, raised concerns about the unsafe transportation of school children in three-wheeler autorickshaws. He called for the regulation of school autorickshaws to prevent overloading and stressed that children should never be seated beside the driver.
The discussions reinforced that reducing road crashes requires coordinated action across multiple sectors, supported by strong institutional mechanisms and sustained commitment at both the state and district levels. Participants emphasised that a State Road Safety Action Plan, would provide a roadmap for evidence-based interventions, improved interdepartmental coordination, and measurable targets. They also highlighted the importance of safer infrastructure for vulnerable road users, context-appropriate speed management, stronger enforcement, improved public transport, and safer school travel. The conference concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening collaboration between government agencies, enforcement authorities, civil society organisations, and local communities to improve road safety outcomes in Cuddalore and contribute towards Tamil Nadu's and India's goal of significantly reducing road crash fatalities.
The District Road Safety Conference in Cuddalore was covered by Dhinakaran, Seidhi Samuthiram and Dhina Kaatru (Print media).