MoRTH collabs with Uber, Zomato to raise road safety awareness across India

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has collaborated with Zomato and Uber to conduct road safety awareness across India, as part of the government’s Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan.

This marks the third year of the campaign, which has included private partnerships to expand its reach and effectiveness.

Announcing the partnership, Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, stated that the partnership represented a significant step in promoting road safety. “Road safety is among our nation’s most critical priorities. This initiative is aimed at saving lives by fostering safer driving habits across the country,” he said.

The ‘Sadak Suraksha Abhiyaan’ comes amid worrying trends in road safety statistics. 

As reported by Fortune India, the country recorded 4,61,312 road accidents in 2022, resulting in 1,68,491 fatalities and 4,43,366 injuries.

The situation worsened in 2023, with accidents rising to 4,80,583, fatalities to 1,72,890, and injuries to 4,62,825.

This campaign fortifies India’s long-term goal of halving road fatalities by 2030. 

The government selected Zomato and Uber because a large population of working Indians and Gen Z regularly uses services from these two brands. 

Zomato and Uber together power millions of daily rides and deliveries, and are ideal partners in reaching this demographic.

Minister Gadkari further said: “Every hour, 20 people die, and it is unfortunate that among the people who die, 66% of the population lies between the ages of 18 and 36. After much thought, we realised the issue is not just limited to road engineering or automobile engineering. Whatever improvements are possible at our end, we have done and continue to do so. We have brought in a new Road Safety Act and increased fines and penalties as well. Still, the results are not as positive as expected. The basic reason is human behaviour… that’s why campaigns are needed to create awareness.”

📍𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝑫𝒆𝒍𝒉𝒊

Road safety program organised by Eternal (Zomato) & Uber pic.twitter.com/FT9B5165qX

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) September 10, 2025

How can Zomato and Uber help in the Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan?

Zomato and Uber will convey safety messages directly through their platforms to reach both drivers and consumers. Zomato would deliver safety prompts via its delivery partner app and consumer-facing food delivery platform.

Uber is introducing a ‘Road Safety Pledge’ for drivers and investing in driver education programs focused on traffic rules and responsible road behaviour.

The ride-hailing company has also introduced technological features such as Speeding Alerts and Dangerous Driving Notifications, based on GPS and telematics data, to detect behaviours like hard braking and over-speeding, and provide corrective feedback.

“At Uber, safety is not just a feature—it is a core value of our platform. Road safety in India demands collective action, and Uber will continue to lead from the front in making our cities safer for all,” said Sooraj Nair, head of Safety Operations, Uber India & South Asia. 

Uber’s additional safety features include a 24x7 Safety Line, an in-app SOS button connected to police control rooms, AI-driven helmet checks and nudges for bike trips, rear seatbelt reminders in cars, and a RideCheck feature that detects trip irregularities.

Accident insurance covers both drivers and riders who opt for added security.

Zomato gives safety briefings to delivery partners, covering helmet usage, disciplined riding, and responsible behaviour.

“Safety must always come before speed. Slowing down and riding responsibly isn’t just a personal choice—it’s a lifesaving one. Together, we can make our roads safer for everyone,” said Aditya Mangla, CEO of Zomato.

Partners also receive real-time weather updates, precautionary alerts, and access to a 24x7 in-app SOS feature that connects them to ambulance support within minutes.

Comprehensive insurance coverage is also included. 

Additionally, Zomato recognises partners who demonstrate strong road discipline and respond during emergencies.

Also read: ‘Coaching institutions are not educational institutions, 18% GST applies to them’: FM Nirmala Sitharaman (startuppedia.in)