India records 1.7 lakh road crash deaths yearly; SaveLIFE, Volvo partner to reduce fatalities in Nagpur

Hyderabad: With 436 fatalities and 408 fatal crashes recorded in Nagpur (Rural) in 2024 alone, the district has emerged as a critical point of concern in India’s road safety landscape.

As Nagpur is one of the highest fatality districts in the country, SaveLIFE Foundation, based in Hyderaba,d said it will work with ‘Volvo For Life Fund’ to reduce road crash fatalities in Nagpur district, as part of the UN Global Road Safety Week 2025.

Volvo For Life Fund is said to be a global philanthropic initiative by Volvo Cars. In a public note, the organisation said that the partnership continues to reflect a sustained commitment to protecting vulnerable road users and reducing preventable road crash fatalities.

Major causes of road accidents

Two of the major causes of crashes here have been speeding (18.5%) and dangerous pedestrian behaviour (7.96%), underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions.

“This initiative is part of SaveLIFE Foundation’s Zero Fatality District (ZFD) programme, which is currently being implemented in 20 other districts across India. The ZFD model is a replicable and scalable framework designed to reduce road crash fatalities through a multi-faceted, evidence-based approach grounded in the 4Es of road safety: Engineering, Emergency Care, Enforcement, and Education,” the organisation said.

Life-saving interventions

Through the Volvo For Life Fund, the partnership said it will implement a range of evidence-based, life-saving interventions to improve road safety in Nagpur (Rural).

These interventions include:

- Implementation of speed enforcement measures to reduce speeding-related crash deaths.

- Treatment of highway medians and access points to reduce collision risks. These include the deployment of retro-reflective road safety measures and delineators for better visibility.

- Installation of traffic calming measures and road signage. Traffic calming measures aim to lower vehicle speeds and improve overall road safety, with a focus on protecting vulnerable users like pedestrians and cyclists.

- Enhancement of pedestrian safety measures for safer crossings and walkways.

“India loses over 1.7 lakh lives to road crashes every year — a silent epidemic that demands urgent, systemic solutions. Our partnership with Volvo Cars brings together world-class engineering and grassroots impact to demonstrate how data-driven, proven interventions can dramatically reduce fatalities,” said Piyush Tewari, founder and CEO, SaveLIFE Foundation.

What is the ZFD model for road safety?

The ZFD model is aimed at seamlessly integrating comprehensive road safety interventions into existing local government systems, ensuring long-term impact and sustainability.

The ZFD model’s evidence-based and system-integrated approach presents a practical, scalable solution to one of India’s most urgent public health challenges. It holds the potential to significantly transform the country’s road safety landscape and save countless lives.

“Volvo Cars is committed to protecting lives, both inside and outside the vehicle. Our partnership with SaveLIFE Foundation aims to demonstrate how collaborative, scalable interventions can turn high-risk corridors into safe, walkable streets,” said Louise Thompson, Head, Volvo Cars For Life Fund.