India is also getting a rousing applause for its efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic. Given the population load and weak public health infrastructure, it was feared that the pandemic might result in high levels of casualties or morbidities. A sustained sensitization programme coupled with the selfless services of thousands of corona warriors, has managed to keep the casualties low in India when measured in the context of its population.

However, this piece is not about waxing eloquent on the revival of the Indian economy or how we have taken the challenge of Coronavirus pandemic head-on or the way we have set a global benchmark in coming out with vaccines with single minded focus.

In fact, it is about our continued apathy to deal with another, and no less detrimental, challenge that has been rearing its head for years on end. Yes it’s about India’s poor track record of road safety where India continues to have the dubious distinction of largest number of road fatalities in the world. So much so that even during the April- June’20 period when a lockdown was imposed across the country, India lost as many as 20732 precious lives in road crashes.

Two recent pieces of news have been especially troubling. The number of fatalities due to collisions with parked vehicles on roads has more than doubled in the past three years. From 2317 such fatalities in 2017, the number has gone up to 5086 in 2020.

The use of retro reflective tapes on all commercial and transport vehicles is mandatory to obtain fitness certificate as per Motor Vehicle rules. However, leave alone cautionary signs to alert other drivers about parked or punctured vehicles, several parked trucks do not even have retro reflective tapes making stranded vehicles in the middle of the road a huge safety hazard especially at night.

Similarly, the usage of high beam continues to be very common in India. The purpose of the high beam is to provide a clear view to the driver at places where there is no immediate source of light. Under normal driving conditions low beams perfectly serve the purpose. However, as shown by a survey, as many as 74% drivers do not care if they are using dippers correctly. The other person can be blinded (for a few seconds) from direct exposure to a high beam or the glare in the rear-view mirror.

I would strongly urge the readers to visit #DimTheLights campaign being run by Apollo Tyres, an ATMA member. The campaign hopes to reduce the danger of accidents by encouraging drivers to use the high beams on their cars responsibly.

Generally, there is an attempt on the part of the Governments to soft pedal the uncomfortable data. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case here and the Government plans to take road safety in a mission mode.

Speaking at the National Road Safety Council meeting in January this year, Hon’ble Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari minced no words when he stated “ Please publish all data on road deaths every month. Let everyone get exposed how they have failed. Let people pull us up, question us about failures and then only everyone will work… This is one area where we need immediate action. We can’t wait”.

The action is evident. For the first time, the National Highways Authority of India has promulgated a policy of heavy fines on contractors for accidents and deaths caused by structural defects in design, construction or maintenance of the stretches maintained by them. Such agencies will also not be allowed to bid for any NH project for three years.

Deaths due to Coronavirus are estimated at 1.5 lakh in the last one year in India. That’s roughly equal to road fatalities in road crashes year after year.

India has launched vaccination against Coronavirus in double quick time. Similar zeal is required to tackle the issue of road safety on a war footing. Would 2021 be different?

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MAXAM Tire has further expanded its off‑the‑road tyre portfolio by adding a new 45/65R45 size to the MS406 E4/L4 series. This larger variant is specifically engineered for heavy loader applications, offering operators an additional high‑performance solution that prioritises strength, longevity and cost efficiency over the long term.

The tyre’s deep E4/L4 tread pattern is designed to deliver strong traction while resisting wear and cuts, even in severe working conditions. This aggressive yet durable design helps loader fleets boost productivity, as the tyre maintains grip and reduces downtime. Over its service life, users can expect a lower cost per operating hour.

To withstand harsh job sites, the MS406 incorporates a thick undertread that provides enhanced puncture protection. Its robust casing not only endures heavy use but also supports excellent retreadability, further extending the tyre’s usable life and improving overall return on investment. A wide, flat footprint contributes to superior stability, ensuring dependable performance and operator confidence when the vehicle is under substantial loads.

With this new size addition, MAXAM Tire continues to strengthen its off‑the‑road product line, giving customers another valuable option that balances durability, traction and long‑term operating efficiency in demanding loader environments.

Jimmy McDonnell, Vice President – Sales and Marketing, MAXAM Tire North America, said, “With the addition of the 45/54R45 size, we’re continuing to respond directly to market needs while expanding access to a proven loader tyre. Our focus is always on delivering market-leading value and tyres that perform in real-world conditions while helping customers control operating costs.”

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Hankook Tire, the exclusive tyre supplier for the FIA World Rally Championship, will face the demanding Croatia Rally from 9 to 12 April 2026. This event marks round four of the season and takes place in and around the port city of Rijeka. Among the most gruelling rallies on the calendar, it will feature both the Ventus Z215, engineered for precise dry handling and cornering stability, and the Ventus Z210, designed to deliver superior traction and rapid water evacuation in wet and unpredictable conditions.

The 2026 route spans roughly 300.28 kilometres across 20 special stages, with the service park relocated to the historic Grobnik Circuit. The course covers four counties, including shakedown stages on the island of Krk and technical tests through the Lika-Senj highlands. Drivers must contend with extreme grip variations along the Adriatic coast, from abrasive volcanic tarmac in the mountains to smoother, dustier sections near the sea, the latter becoming dangerously slick with even light rain.

Throughout the event, Hankook will operate its Brand World marketing booth inside the service park, reinforcing its unified global premium image. The booth will offer interactive experiences such as a motorsports history zone, racing simulator, tyre fitting activities, merchandise sales and a photo zone, giving fans an immersive brand encounter. Meanwhile, intense competition is expected: while Toyota GAZOO Racing has a strong history in Croatia, both Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team and M-Sport Ford World Rally Team aim to exploit the new coastal terrain to challenge for the podium.

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Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited has earned a total of 23 CSR-DIW awards, demonstrating its longstanding commitment to operating with ongoing responsibility towards society, local communities and the environment. In 2025, the Department of Industrial Works honoured the company under the CSR DIW to MIND for Sustainability programme, which recognises industrial factories that enhance their social and community responsibility for sustainable coexistence.

Among these accolades, five facilities received the CSR DIW Award for maintaining these high standards continuously for a decade, while another 18 facilities received the CSR DIW Continuous Award for consistently implementing responsible practices, collectively celebrating industrial organisations that serve as models for industry growing in harmony with communities under the principle of good industry coexisting sustainably.

These achievements reflect how the Sri Trang Group balances economic, social and environmental priorities, allowing the industrial sector to work alongside communities effectively and advancing Thailand’s rubber industry towards a sustainable green future. The group has steadily carried out community focused and socially responsible initiatives across six key areas, including youth development, arts and local traditions, livelihood and career support, environmental management, workplace health and hygiene as well as disaster relief and assistance for vulnerable groups.

This recognition further underscores Sri Trang Agro Industry’s role as a leading organisation that drives sustainable industrial practices while consistently creating lasting value for society, communities and the environment.

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Bridgestone has announced its participation in the 41st Space Symposium, the largest space conference in United States, taking place in Colorado Springs from 13 to 16 April 2026. The company’s exhibit will be hosted within the Japanese Space Industry pavilion organised by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), marking its third consecutive year at the event since 2024. A key focus of Bridgestone’s presence is its ongoing development of lunar rover tyres, a project that embodies the company’s belief that ‘tyres carry life’.

Since 2019, Bridgestone has advanced research on lunar rover tyres and pursued co-creation with international partners to commercialise space mobility technology. In 2024, the company collaborated with Astrobotic Technology, followed by a basic agreement with ispace in 2025. These efforts aim to generate new value in the rapidly evolving space mobility sector.

At the symposium, Bridgestone will demonstrate tyres for small and medium lunar rovers, first unveiled in 2025, by mounting them on a mobility vehicle. Attendees can see and touch the tyres, experiencing their high traversability on simulated lunar challenges like fine sand and rocky ground. Through this showcase, Bridgestone seeks to expand its space business network and foster co-creation opportunities, ultimately supporting safe lunar mobility and humanity’s exploration goals.

The lunar rover tyre project applies Bridgestone’s AirFree technology, an exploratory business under its 2024–2026 Mid Term Business Plan. By refining this technology in the extreme lunar environment, the company aims to eventually bring those innovations back to Earth, enhancing conventional tyres and contributing to broader social value.

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