United for Road Safety
Latest Updates
United Way Mumbai launches the 2023 edition of the Speed Observation Study, Slow Down
4th April 2023
About the project
- India ranked first in the number
of road crash deaths across the 199 countries reported in world statistics in
2018
- India accounts for almost 11% of
the crash-related deaths in the world
- According to the Ministry of Road
Transport and Highways Report, 2019, road crashes killed almost 1.51 lakh
people annually in India
With an aim to address the innumerable and unaddressed aspects
related to road safety and to deepen awareness around the same, United Way
Mumbai has partnered with the Traffic Control Branch, Mumbai Police, Motor
Vehicle Department, Govt of Maharashtra, and Indian Institute of Bombay to
conduct a speed observation study titled‘Slow Down’. Project
Slow Down advocates and encourages the need to respect speed limits on city
roadsand aims to enhance road safety with a focus on public
mobility, and speed management policies.
Project Slow Down was designed around 3 key objectives:
- To study and identify the causal factors of speeding at the
select 20 blackspots
- To recommend speed calming measures in order to support
stricter enforcement of speed limits at these blackspots
- To provide to the Mumbai Traffic Police, evidence of instances
of overspeeding and the need for speed calming intervention recommendations to
plan and implement suitable enforcement measures
About the report
This report
was released on 4th of April, 2023 at hands of Pravin
Padwal IAS, Jt. Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Mumbai, Vivek Bhimanwar,
Transport Commissioner, Jitendra Patil, Addl. Transport Commissioner, Govt. of
Maharashtra, David Cliff, CEO, Global Road Safety Partnership (Geneva) and
George Aikara, CEO of United Way Mumbai.

Key highlights of Project
Slow Down
Following are the common observations
Enforcement:
- Only7
spotsout of20 spotsposted
speed limits
- Critical road signages are
missingsuch as; ‘Speed limit’, ‘Crash
prone spot’ signs and ‘merging section ahead’at 11
locationsand wereinappropriately
placed at 2 locations
- Side frictionobserved
due to theillegal road side parkingat7
locations
- Pedestrians walking on the
carriagewayinstead of the footpaths at7
locations(encroached footpaths)
Engineering:
- Road /lane markingswere
absent or faded at17 locations
- Poor visibility at night was
observed at3 locations
- Inadequate road signs were
observed at11 locations
- Potentialconflict
pointsobserved at merging sections at6
locations
- Good road conditions coupled with
the straight stretch results in over speeding of the vehicles
Following are the common recommendations
Enforcement:
- Traffic wardenscan
be deployed for regulating the traffic during the peak hours
- Vendor encroachmentshould
be controlled on the road to avoid side friction
- CCTV surveillancecan
be used to check the culprits ofrash and speedingand
fines should be imposed
- Undisciplined parkingneeds
to be regulated
Engineering:
- Installation ofsignboards(such
as; speed limit signs, merging section ahead, road signs, caution boards, etc.)
- Road markingsto be
painted at some locations
- Pedestrian walkways, zebra
crossing markings and controlled pedestrian walk-way mustbe
installed with advance warning signs
- "Accident
prone spot”boardsto be
visibly installed at all the 20 locations at least 50 meters ahead of the spot
and at the spot
- Adequate road signsto be
installed at locations wherever observed to be missing/inadequate
- Informatory sign boardsto
guide and direct the road users should be installed at 100 mts. and 50 Mts.
Interval
- Speed calming measuressuch
as; speed humps and rumble strips to be installed wherever found to be missing
- Continuous stretch of the
well-maintained footpathis needed to discourage the
pedestrians walking on the carriageway where the chances of conflicts are high
- Pavement distressessuch
as potholes, and rutting (grooves) should be removed and its condition should
be improved for a better level of service
- Medians should be repaintedwith
retro-reflective paint to improve the visibility at night at certain locations
wherever poor visibility at night was observed
- Need tosmoothen
the uneven road surfaceapproach to the flyover and to be
marked properly at ascending and descending spots of flyovers
- Project Slow Down is a part of United Way Mumbai’s, United for
Road Safety community impact initiative. The initiative aims to support MVA
implementation in the state of Maharashtra especially related to speeding and
strict enforcement of speed management in Mumbai and build awareness to curb
speeding mass media activities, and support the state and city authorities to
better plan and implement the ‘Slow Down’ awareness campaigns.
Project Slow Down is a part of United Way Mumbai’s, United for
Road Safety community impact initiative. The initiative aims to support MVA
implementation in the state of Maharashtra especially related to speeding and
strict enforcement of speed management in Mumbai and build awareness to curb
speeding mass media activities, and support the state and city authorities to
better plan and implement the ‘Slow Down’ awareness campaigns.
To download the Summary report click here
To download Detailed Big report click here


31st National Road Safety Week, 2020
17th January 2020
- During the inauguration of the 31st National Road Safety Week by the Government of Maharashtra, at NCPA, Mumbai; the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Sri. Uddhav Thackeray visited United Way Mumbai's two-wheeler simulator. He appreciated the innovative initiative and expressed the need to replicate it across Maharashtra.
- From February 2018 to date, we have used the simulator to train over 10,000 persons
Download the report
here.
Downloads
Road Safety Week 2020 Report-rev.pdf
World Day of Remembrance, 2020
10th November 2019
The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDoR) is commemorated annually on the third Sunday of November, around the world. This year was the 24th anniversary of the event and United Way in Mumbai (UWM) organised various activities to raise awareness about the day at various Black Spots across Mumbai.
"Slow Down” is UWM's community impact initiative supported by the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP), focused on spreading awareness regarding adhering to speed limits. The activities under the initiative are conducted at 20 different speeding spots across Mumbai. Road Safety Advocacy Clubs (RSAC) and local residents collaborated with government officials to work on cost-effective interventions at these spots to promote the importance of adhering to speed limits, in order to reduce the incidence of road crashes.
Activities conducted on World Day of Remembrance 2020
At the organised activities, RSAC members and members from the community paid homage to individuals who lost their lives in road accidents. Individuals or family members of the victims shared their road accident testimonials and lighted candles to express their respect.
55 Road Safety Advocacy Clubs members from various locations in Mumbai joined hands with local traffic police and other community members to commemorate the event.
Simulator Based Training at the Andheri RTO
24th May 2019
United Way Mumbai has started simulator-based training of new learner's license applicants under the United for Road Safety campaign, with support from Castrol and in collaboration with the Andheri RTO. The aim is to train the applicants to become safe two-wheeler road users, which in turn will facilitate a safer commute and help in making roads in Mumbai safer.
The project commenced on 14th May 2019 at Andheri RTO, with training being conducted for learner's license applicants every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, as allotted by the Andheri RTO. Training sessions are conducted in batches of a maximum of 30 participants. The batches are arranged by UWM for applicants who have completed their learner's license test, irrespective of whether they have passed or failed the test.
The training is conducted in two main parts:-
1. Road safety training session: This awareness session gives the attendees a basic knowledge about road safety, including statistics regarding the present road crash scenario. The aim is to make applicants aware of various risks and hazard on the roads. This session takes almost 40-45 minutes per batch. The key topics covered during the training are listed below:-
- A pre-training test to assess participants’ knowledge
- Causes of road crashes
- Road Rules and how to follow them
- Importance of safety equipment in two-wheeler riding
- The Good Samaritans notification
- Post-training test to judge their take-away from the session
2. Simulator assessment: The training is followed by an awareness session for aspiring or current two-wheeler riders, wherein they have access to the Two-Wheeler Simulator. At the simulator, a trainer briefs the participant about the simulator before the ride begins. After their ride gets completed, the UWM trainer counsels them on techniques for safe and responsible two-wheeler riding.
Once the training is completed participants are handed a road safety kit (reflective stickers and a road safety leaflet), after which the participants who have passed the RTO learner’s license test can collect their learner’s licenses. To date, 35 sessions have been completed, through which 669 participants attended the Road Safety training session. 253 participants underwent the two-wheeler simulator assessment.
Jeevan Doot - First Responder Training
15th February 2018
Live demonstrations were conducted on how to be a First Responder to provide emergency care for victims of road crashes, as part of United Way Mumbai's Jeevan Doot initiative, powered by
TATA Motors Finance LTD, under the aegis of the United for Road Safety campaign. Jeevan Doot aims to train members of the community to be First Responders and provide emergency aid for road crash victims till the time professional medical help arrives. This greatly increases the chances of the victim's recovery and survival.
Unveiling of India's First Mobile Two Wheeler Simulator
9th February 2018
UWM has procured mobile India's first Two Wheeler Simulator for training the youth in safe two wheeler riding skills. The Simulator was unveiled by Mr. Amitesh Kumar (IPS), Jt. Commissioner of Police (Traffic) at the grand awards function for our Two Wheeler Rider Safety initiative, Two Wheels One Life, powered by Castrol India Limited.
Its mobile nature makes this Simulator a very effective and efficient tool to train youth in colleges in safe two wheeler rider skills, since it can be taken from college to college for training sessions.
Zonal Rounds of Two Wheels One Life
30th January 2018
The zonal rounds of Intercollegiate Road Safety competition, 2 Wheels 1 Life is in progress, jointly organized by the NSS Unit of University of Mumbai and United Way Mumbai, with support from Castrol India Limited, in collaboration with Motor Vehicle Department & Mumbai Traffic Police. The first zonal evaluation for Mumbai City level colleges is being held at Lala Lajpatrai College.
We have invited more than 200 colleges to be a part of this competition.
World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, 2017
21st November 2017
We began our commemoration of the World Day of Remembrance (WDoR) for road traffic deaths, under the United Road Safety campaign on 20th November. We aim to observe the occasion from 19th November to 30th November in collaboration with NSS and Road Safety Club members to jointly organize various awareness activities.
WDoR aims to publicly recognise the tragic and needless loss and sufferings of road crash victims. It has also become an important tool
for governments and those who work to prevent road accidents or respond to their aftermath, since it offers the opportunity to demonstrate the enormous scale
and impact of road deaths and injuries and the urgent need for action.
The goal is to raise awareness of the urgent need to reduce road
fatalities by 50% by 2020. This year, we organised events in colleges like Kamladevi
College, Lala Lajpatrai College and K.J. Somaiya College, and a community organisation, Bright Future. The activities and events included candlelight vigils to remember road traffic victims, poster making competitions to raise awareness about the need for road safety and an awareness session in association with the Sr. PI of Traffic, Mr. Khatale.
UN Global Road Safety Week
10th May 2017

United Way Mumbai has organised the "Slow Down campaign, in collaboration with the Mumbai Traffic Police, to observe the fourth UN Global Road Safety Week from 8th to
14th May, 2017. The theme of the Road Safety Week is "Slow
Down, Reduce Speed. In consultation with Mumbai Traffic Police, UWM has planned a 5 days campaign, where over 50 volunteers, comprising UWM staff and NSS - University of Mumbai students from city colleges have been displaying placards and banners with awareness messages on the theme of "SLOW DOWN. Over 2000 car drivers are being educated on a daily basis at the Toll Plaza of the Bandra Worli Sea Link Road. The Sea Link is an ideal spot to conduct this campaign, since it sees
some of the highest rates of speeding in the city and the Mumbai Traffic Police
have installed speed cameras to catch defaulters.
The campaign aims to:
- Sensitize and
encourage road users to pledge to Slow Down and adhere to speed limits on the road
- Educate road
users about mechanisms put in place by the Mumbai Traffic Police to trackspeed
violations
Update - Two Wheels One Life
1st March 2017
4855 youth were engaged between 6th and 27th February, 2017 through the Two Wheels One Life programme, under the aegis of United for Road Safety, UWM's initiative, powered by Castrol. Over 200 students and professors attended the Grand Finale and Prize Distribution. For all the details regarding the programme, please
click here.
Important Dates - Two Wheels One Life Zonal Competitions and Grand Finale
13th February 2017
Zone
|
Final Date |
Time |
Venue |
Western Zone |
Monday, 13th February, 2017
|
10:00 AM onwards |
L.S. Raheja College |
Eastern Zone |
Tuesday, 14th February, 2017 |
10:00 AM onwards |
R.A. D.A.V College |
City Zone |
Wednesday, 15th February, 2017 |
10:00 AM onwards |
Maharshi Dayanand College of Arts, Science & Commerce, Parel (East), Mumbai. |
Grand Finale |
Saturday, 18th February, 2017 |
10:00 AM onwards |
Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Matunga |