Mumbai: HDFC ERGO General Insurance, a non-life insurance company, has launched the #GalatRaastePeMatJao campaign to raise awareness about unsafe driving practices and promote responsible road usage during National Road Safety Week. The week-long initiative highlights the risks associated with reckless behaviors like speeding, mobile phone usage, and distracted driving.
With over 4.60 lakh road accidents in India in 2022, resulting in over 4.40 lakh injuries, road safety remains a major concern. HDFC ERGO’s new campaign seeks to address these issues by encouraging drivers to avoid dangerous practices and adopt safer driving habits. The #GalatRaastePeMatJao campaign aims to reach drivers across the country, urging them to rethink unsafe actions behind the wheel.
As part of the initiative, HDFC ERGO is distributing car danglers at select networked cashless garages across India. These danglers carry key road safety messages and serve as reminders for vehicle owners to follow safety measures while driving.
Parthanil Ghosh, Director and Chief Business Officer at HDFC ERGO, emphasized the importance of road safety during the campaign’s launch, saying, “Road crash casualties lead to tremendous emotional and financial turmoil for families. Additionally, it also significantly dents the Indian GDP, to the tune of 3% to 5% annually. As per the latest Global Status Report on Road Safety by WHO, road traffic crash numbers continue to rise in India. Sadly, young people from 18-45 age-group accounted for around 65% of total accident deaths in 2022. At HDFC ERGO, we have always taken initiatives that can contribute towards building a Healthy and Safe India. Through #GalatRaastePeMatJao, we aim to raise awareness about the profound impact of unsafe driving habits and foster a culture of responsible road behavior.”
HDFC ERGO has a long-standing commitment to road safety, having launched several campaigns in the past to address various aspects of unsafe driving. These include the #TakeItEasyonRoads campaign in 2015, the #DoNotDisturb campaign in 2018, and the #EyesOnTheRoad initiative. Previous campaigns have also focused on specific issues like the misuse of high beams and the casual attitude toward traffic rules.
In addition to digital campaigns, HDFC ERGO has partnered with NGOs for urban trials and intersection redesigns, aiming to transform high-risk areas into zero-fatality zones. Their efforts have already impacted over 2.6 lakh lives in FY24, reinforcing the company’s dedication to road safety.
