[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
This article was originally prepared by Safe India and Harpreet Singh.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n India has one of the highest rates of road traffic fatalities in the world, with road crashes being the leading cause of death among children under 18. <\/span>In<\/span> 2022<\/span> alone,<\/span> over<\/span> 9,500 <\/span>children<\/span> lost<\/span> their<\/span> lives in<\/span> road crashes, marking<\/span> a<\/span> staggering<\/span> 23%<\/span> increase<\/span> from<\/span> the<\/span> previous year (<\/span><\/span>India Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, 2022<\/span><\/span><\/a>)<\/span>. In response to this urgent crisis, the <\/span><\/span>Safe Zone for Schools<\/span><\/span> initiative is working to transform the safety landscape for students in urban areas. Led by <\/span><\/span>SAFE<\/span> India<\/span><\/span><\/a> and supported by ICICI Lombard\u2019s CSR program, the initiative was implemented between September 2024 and March 2025 in eleven schools across Ahmedabad in Gujarat and Patna in Bihar. By prioritizing safer commutes for schoolchildren, the project addresses a critical need and pav<\/span>es<\/span> the way for more secure and resilient urban environments.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A Comprehensive Approach to School Road Safety<\/span><\/b> School road safety assessments were conducted using the iRAP Star Rating for Schools (SR4S) tool, offering critical, data-driven insights to guide interventions. Key upgrades across the project schools included:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n One standout example is St. Xavier High School<\/strong>, <\/span>located<\/span> on Shri BL <\/span>Dandwala<\/span> Road in Ahmedabad\u2014one of the city’s busiest corridors. Prior to intervention, the school entrance lacked any speed calming measures, and vehicles routinely exceeded <\/span>55 km<\/span>\/h. <\/p>\n The absence of signage and safe pedestrian crossings further endangered students. Through the initiative, low-cost yet impactful changes were <\/span>made:<\/span> school zone signs, pedestrian crossings, <\/span>25 km<\/span>\/h speed limit signages, and speed bumps were installed. These measures collectively raised the school entrance’s star rating from a low 1.0 to an impressive 3.9 stars.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/starratingforschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/St-Xavier-High-School-Before.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/starratingforschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/St.-Xavier-After-1psd.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/starratingforschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/St-Xavier-High-School-Before-V2.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/starratingforschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/st-Xavief-After-2.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In parallel, over 3,500 students, staff, and community members<\/span> were educated on road safety practices through interactive workshops, visual demonstrations, and outreach initiatives conducted in collaboration with local NGOs and traffic authorities.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Feedback from school authorities, parents, and students has been positive. Many reported noticeable improvements in traffic flow, a greater sense of safety, and increased confidence among students.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span>The <\/span>Safe Zone for Schools<\/span><\/i> project adopts a comprehensive approach, integrating infrastructure enhancements, community engagement, and strategic partnerships.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n