Shell launches next phase of DriveSafeIndia program covering one lakh drivers by March 2022

Shell’s #DriveSafeIndia Program, launched in February 2019, has screened more than 2.6 lakh drivers and has been able to address vision issues of approx.1.75 lakh by providing them free pairs of spectacles. The program has also been awarded the coveted Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for its outstanding contribution to Road Safety in 2019. (https://www.shell.in/media/news-and-media-releases-2019/shell-india-and-visionspring-win-global-award.html)

Despite the pandemic, Shell continued the DriveSafeIndia program in line with government regulations and safety protocols. As part of their endeavor to continue keeping Indian roads safe, Shell has now roped in another partner, the India Vision Institute (an NGO providing access to vision testing and spectacles to the underprivileged in remote parts of India), to further expand the programme and vision testing camps in the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

This year’s DriveSafeIndia program was officially launched in Chennai ahead of World Sight Day and aims to cover an additional 1 lakh drivers. Of this, eyecare needs of 50,000 commercial vehicle and truck drivers will be addressed in the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and the remaining in other states.

Sanjay Varkey, Director, Mobility, Shell India, said, “At Shell, we believe road safety is imperative for all and the #DriveSafeIndia program is a step forward in the right direction. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are among the top 3 states with highest road accidents. We are therefore expanding our programme in these regions to reach even more drivers with the intention to improve driving performance and potentially preventing accidents.”

“IVI has experience of vision screening school children and adults, including commercial vehicle drivers and truckers. The collaboration and synergy between the two organizations should help drive a strong program to address the vision problems of the trucking community,” said IVI’s CEO Vinod Daniel.

“IVI works in 22 states across India to vision screen school children and adults, including drivers and allied transport workers,” Mr. Daniel noted. “We see the #DriveSafeIndia program as a great opportunity to address the issue of road safety. Drivers with better vision will lead to fewer road accidents, fatalities and unnecessary injuries,” he added.

Mishaps and fatalities on roads are unfortunately frequent occurrences in India. With about 151,000^[1] on-road deaths reported each year across the country, boosting awareness on not only vehicle upkeep, but more importantly driver welfare, is an urgent imperative. A 2019 study report by the National Crime Records Bureau states that the number of road accidents reported in Tamil Nadu was 59,499, the highest among all states in India. Karnataka stood third with 40,666 cases.

About Shell India

Shell is one of the most diversified international energy company in India with over 9500 employees and presence across upstream, integrated gas, downstream, renewable energy, and deep capabilities in R&D, digitalization, and business operations. With a retail presence across six states – Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Assam Shell is expanding its network of fuel stations across the country. It has the entire Lubricants end-to-end value chain in India, from conceptualization and development, to production and distribution. Serving 50000 consumers through a robust network of 200+ distributors across B2C and B2B lines of Sales. This includes a world class lubricant oil blending plant that manages a large supply chain through a network of 4 Regional Distribution Centers and 8 warehouses. The company also fully owns and operates an LNG re-gasification terminal at Hazira. With a focus on digitization and future ready sustainable solutions, the company is nurturing a vibrant ecosystem in India to accelerate energy innovations with Shell E4 for start-ups, Shell Eco-marathon and investments in new energy companies like Husk Power, d.light, Orb Energy and Cleantech Solar. Shell also remains committed to making positive contributions to the communities in which it operates through programmes like NXplorers, Access to Energy and Road Safety across India. Follow @shell_India @makethefuture @shell_ecomar to know how it is redefining the energy space.

About India Vision Institute

IVI is an Indian NGO working to provide access to primary eye care for underprivileged Indians and a pair of corrective glasses to those in need of one. IVI’s Eye See & I Work and Eye See & I Learn campaigns reach constituencies where services are lacking and most required – notably adults and children. IVI works in 22 states across India, including in screening commercial and truck drivers. October 2021 is also IVI’s tenth anniversary. Since its inception, it has undertaken over1,100 vision screening programs benefiting some 450,000 individuals from the underprivileged communities and provided free spectacles to those found to have refractive errors. Being in the frontline of vision care services delivery, optometrists receive IVI’s attention in having their skills upgraded and capacity built to cope with challenges in their careers.