SIAM hosts Annual Principals’ Meet 2026 to Promote Road Safety Education in Schools

New Delhi, March 31, 2026: The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), in association with Delhi Traffic Police, Yamaha Motor India Pvt. Ltd., and Hindustan Times, organized the Annual Principals’ Meet 2026 for school principals in Delhi under the theme “Bridging the Gap: Connecting Road Awareness with Education.” The initiative aims to strengthen the link between education and responsible road behavior by bringing together school leaders and key stakeholders.
Held as part of SIAM’s `Safe Journey)’ initiative, the program continues to promote road safety awareness among students through schools, with strong CSR support from SIAM member companies. More than 400 principals from schools across Delhi-NCR participated in the meet, reaffirming their commitment to fostering safer road practices among young learners.
Sharing his perspective, Prashant Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, said, “India has already adopted the best of vehicle technologies, including active and passive safety systems, but road accident fatalities are still rising. What has been found is that this is largely a behavioral aspect which needs to be controlled. Enforcement alone cannot solve the issue. It is education that brings humility, politeness, and responsibility, and that is something we do not see on roads today. Through our initiative with Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, we have already reached over one lakh students with structured road safety modules, and we intend to expand this further.”
On this occasion Chief Guest, Sanjay Bandopadhyaya, Member, Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety, Government of India, said, “As you know, most deaths take place because of not wearing helmets, seatbelts, and due to over-speeding. The maximum number of fatalities are among pedestrians and two-wheeler users. Students must be taught from a younger age so that they become responsible citizens and influence their families as well. Enforcement combined with education is the most effective and economical way to reduce fatalities. With schools, industry, media, and enforcement agencies coming together, we can ensure a significant reduction in accidents and make our roads much safer.”
On the occasion, Guest of Honour Vijayanta Arya, Additional Commissioner of Police – Traffic. Delhi Police, said, “Every day, we witness the realities of the road and the consequences of negligence and momentary lapses in judgment. Road safety cannot be achieved through enforcement alone, because the decision ultimately rests with the people using the road. This is where schools become central to the solution. While enforcement acts as a deterrent, education creates understanding, and together they can bring far more sustainable outcomes in improving road safety”
S. Kumar, Vice President, India Yamaha Motor Pvt Ltd, said, “Road safety is not just an institutional priority for us; it is a responsibility linked to the communities we serve and the products we create. Safe roads are ultimately the result of informed, aware, and responsible users. If we want to create lasting change, we must begin at the school level, where awareness can be translated into values and eventually into lifelong habits. From an industry perspective, we see a critical opportunity to promote road safety through school-level awareness and engagement.”
In his address at the Inaugural Session of The Annual Principal Meet 2026 – Principals’ Leadership Forum, Madhur Agrawal, Delhi Circulation Head, Hindustan Times, said, “In a world that is evolving faster than ever before, forums like this become essential spaces for reflection and renewal. They allow us to pause, exchange ideas, challenge perspectives, and collectively reimagine the future of education. Today is not just about listening; it is about connecting, collaborating, and carrying forward insights that can make a real difference in our schools.”
Sharing his perspective on the occasion, Indra Narayan Das, National Circulation Head, Hindustan Times, said, “We care for the safety of the next generation. SIAM champions their physical safety on the roads, working tirelessly to ensure that every journey our children undertake is a safer one, and we try to safeguard their intellectual and emotional journeys by nurturing awareness, responsibility, and informed thinking. As I look at this gathering of close to 400 principals, I am reminded that this room carries a collective educational experience of over 10,000 years. That is not just experience; it is legacy, and it reflects the power of educators in shaping responsible and aware future citizens.”
During the event, SIAM also felicitated schools for their outstanding contribution to promoting road safety awareness among students. Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi, was honored as the School of the Year (2025–26) for Promoting Road Safety Awareness, followed by Mount Abu Public School, Rohini Sec-5, New Delhi, as the 1st Runner Up, and Greenway Modern Sr. Sec. School, Dilshad Garden, New Delhi, as the 2nd Runner Up, recognizing their commendable efforts in fostering road safety awareness among students and the wider community.
Aligned with the Government of India’s ‘Sadak Suraksha, Jeevan Raksha’ vision, SIAM continues to strengthen its efforts toward building a culture of road safety and responsible mobility among young citizens.