Anand Mahindra appeals to make roads safer

New Delhi, July 9 (IANS) Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra Group, Wednesday appealed for immediate measures to check the high number of road accident deaths in the country, a statement said.

In a video message released through SaveLIFE Foundation -- a road safety advocacy group, Mahindra described road accident deaths as an "epidemic" and asked people to join him in the campaign for safer roads.

"Most of these deaths could have been prevented. With the right traffic technology, training and public policies, millions of lives can be saved," Mahindra said in the video.

Piyush Tewari, founder and CEO of SaveLIFE said: "He (Mahindra) is one of the most respected business leaders in the country. We are extremely glad that he has decided to lend his leadership and support to the crucial issue of road safety".

According to SaveLIFE, in the past decade, over a million people have been killed and close to six million have been seriously injured or permanently disabled in road accidents in India.

"The demands for better road safety and stronger laws have gained momentum after the unfortunate demise of union minister Gopinath Munde in a road accident in New Delhi last month," said the NGO.