$2$($\displaystyle 1$) Introduction : India faces a serious road safety challenge. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, over $\displaystyle 4.8$ lakh road accidents were reported in $\displaystyle 2023$, leading to $\displaystyle 1.72$ lakh deaths. Many of these could have been avoided by simple precautions - wearing helmets, fastening seatbelts and following speed limits. These statistics aren't just numbers; they represent lives lost and family dynamics changed forever. Causes of Road Accidents in India ($\displaystyle 2023$) S. No. Causes % 1. Overspeeding §$\displaystyle 56$ 2. Drunk driving §$\displaystyle 8$ 3. No seatbelt/helmet §$\displaystyle 15$ 4. Distraction (mobiles) §$\displaystyle 6$ 5. Mechanical failure §$\displaystyle 4$ 6. Weather/road condition §$\displaystyle 6$ 7. Others §$\displaystyle 5$ ($\displaystyle 2$) Methodology : Recognising this, several cities are becoming proactive, especially near school zones. The municipal corporations and traffic police have introduced stricter school-zone safety measures - speed bumps, zebra crossings and digital signboards. This led to a $\displaystyle 30$% drop in minor accidents near schools, within a year. The success lay in combining infrastructure with awareness. Parents, teachers and traffic marshals helped monitor traffic during school hours. ($\displaystyle 3$) Survey : It's not just governments stepping up. In many cities, class XI and XII students launched a campaign called 'Ride Right', promoting helmet use among two-wheeler riders. They handed out stickers, ran roadshows and launched a 'No Helmet, No Selfie' challenge that went viral. Over $\displaystyle 2000$ riders pledged to wear helmets daily. Their success even led to invitations from the municipal body to speak in other schools - proof of how youth-led efforts can spark policy engagement. ($\displaystyle 4$) Results : Technology is also playing a significant role. Automation through AI-powered traffic cameras, digital signs and automated lights is being implemented in metros to reduce human error and improve monitoring including Pilot projects such as iRASTE and AI based road safety pilot to predict and prevent accidents using real time data and alerts for drivers. These systems have led to a $\displaystyle 40$% rise in fine collection, showing improved rule enforcement. GPS based alert systems in school buses now notify parents of speeding or unscheduled stops - another step towards safer school commutes. ($\displaystyle 5$) Implication for interventions : Still, personal responsibility is the most powerful safety tool. Whether it's a student cyclist using the left lane or a pedestrian waiting for the signal, every right choice sets an example. A popular slogan in school says it best : 'I follow, I influence.' Road safety is about respecting life, valuing time, and leading by example.

English Core · Reading: Case-based Passage