In India, the world's largest country with a population of over 1.4 billion, sales of automobiles and other vehicles are rapidly increasing, and the number of deaths from traffic accidents has increased to 160,000, the highest in the world. A man called ``India's Helmet Man'' rose to the occasion.
In January, we covered their activities in conjunction with India's Road Safety Month, which is being celebrated in cooperation with Japanese companies.
On a road with no sidewalks, a car honks its horn as it runs past pedestrians, and a motorcycle passes between them.
In India, the number of fatalities from traffic accidents continues to increase due to many cases of speeding and forcible cut-ins.
Particularly serious are accidents involving motorcycles and other two-wheeled vehicles.
People with children in the front or back are noticeable, but people who don't wear helmets even though they are required to do so are also noticeable.
The majority of people killed in traffic accidents are people riding motorcycles.
Against this backdrop, a man affectionately known as the ``Helmet Man of India'' stepped up to protect lives that could be saved.
He wears a helmet most of the time except when sleeping, and continues to work day and night to distribute helmets free of charge to prevent fatal accidents.
His true identity is Raghuvendre Kumar.
Kumar started his career as a result of the grief he felt after losing his best friend in a motorcycle accident.
Ten years ago, he began traveling across India, distributing 60,000 free helmets.
He stands at intersections and talks to people who ride motorcycles without helmets, conveying the sadness of losing a loved one and making them realize the importance of wearing helmets.
Kumar said, ``I work every day to prevent other families from going through the same pain.My dream is to have all drivers wear helmets before I die.'' I was talking.
In an effort to reduce the ever-increasing number of traffic accidents, Japanese automaker Suzuki, which has the largest share of the Indian passenger car market, is also stepping up its efforts to promote road safety.
Our subsidiary in India is working with the local government to create a traffic safety facility and provide driving education for drivers.
Furthermore, from January 15th, we are conducting awareness activities for children in conjunction with Road Safety Month, which began across India.
Last year, we began offering lifesaving training for drivers, and this year we plan to provide it to more than 5,000 drivers.
In order to reduce traffic accidents and save lives, there is an urgent need to raise safety awareness in India.