About the Organizer
Crashfree India is a public-interest initiative launched by CARS24, one of India’s largest auto-tech platforms. It aims to foster civic engagement, policy innovation, and community action toward safer roads across the country. Our programs involve collaboration with legal professionals, city planners, enforcement officials, and social innovators.
About the Event
NextMile: Road Safety Ideathon is a national policy competition where students tackle India’s most urgent road safety challenges and propose evidence-based legal and policy solutions. Finalists will receive mentorship and pitch their ideas live at CARS24’s headquarters in Gurugram.
Who is it for? (Eligibility)
- Open to undergraduate and postgraduate students from:
- Law
- Public Policy
- Governance
- Public Administration / Political Science / Urban Planning (related fields)
- Team Size: 2–4 members per team
Location/ Mode
- Mode: Hybrid
- Final Round Location: CARS24 HQ, Gurugram, Haryana
Problem Statement
Each team is required to select one theme from the list below. The suggested policy focus areas under each theme are indicative and not exhaustive. If your analysis identifies a different underlying cause or a more relevant intervention, you are encouraged to define your own focus area within the selected theme
- Speed Management in Urban Areas: Over-speeding is the top cause of road deaths
- Urban speed limits: default 30 kmph in high-density zones
- Mandatory speed-calming zones near schools/hospitals
- Local government guidelines for traffic-calming infrastructure
- Helmet and Seatbelt Enforcement Reforms: Helmet and seatbelt compliance remains low despite laws
- Targeted enforcement using CCTV and AI at junctions
- Community-based helmet drives in Tier-2/3 towns
- Linking repeat violations to license points or insurance premiums
- Regulating E-commerce & Delivery Rider Safety: Gig economy riders face time pressure, poor safety norms.
- Mandatory road safety orientation by platforms
- Rider speed tracking + incentives for compliance
- City-level licensing & standards for commercial two-wheeler use
- School Zone Safety Norms: Children remain high-risk vulnerable road users.
- State rules mandating safe zones around all schools
- Uniform school transport regulation across states
- Parent-led school safety audits backed by local authorities
- Local Black Spot Identification Framework: Black spots often go unidentified at the ward/block level.
- Civic tech tools for public black spot reporting
- Mandated monthly audits by ULBs / Traffic Police
- Local Area Traffic Management (LATM) protocols
- Alcohol & Drug Driving Prevention: High correlation with fatalities, especially at night
- Mandatory weekend night patrolling & breathalyzer checks
- Piloting ignition interlocks for repeat offenders
- Link DUI history with driver license renewal
- Road Safety Data Transparency: Absence of granular crash data limits good policy.
- Open data mandates for insurance companies & police FIRs
- State-level crash mapping and reporting standards
- On-Road Emergency Response Protocols: Victims often receive no assistance in the golden hour.
- State-specific SOPs for first responders and bystanders
- Better enforcement of Good Samaritan Law
- Inclusion of road safety in first aid training for commercial drivers
- Ambulance Standards & Regulation: Ambulance response is delayed or substandard in many cities.
- Enforcement of BIS/IRDAI standards for road ambulances
- City-level mandatory ambulance response time benchmarks
- Geo-fenced, dedicated emergency lanes on arterial roads
- Crash Compensation & Insurance Reform: Compensation for road crash victims is delayed and inadequate
- Fast-track compensation tribunals at the district level
- Uniform cashless treatment scheme across states
- Digitization and integration of accident FIR → insurance claim pipeline
Submission Procedure
- Students can register through this link attached at the end of the post
- Teams will submit a concept note (2–3 pages) in Round 1
- Selected finalists will pitch their solutions live in the Grand Finale
Fee
No registration fee.
Prizes
- Total Cash Prizes: ₹5,00,000
- Additional Benefits:
- Mentorship from experts in law, policy, and mobility
- Certificates and Letters of Recommendation
- National-level exposure and recognition
- Opportunity to influence real-world policy through implementation support
Important dates
- Stage 1: Online Registration. 6th June – 20th June
- Stage 2: Concept Note Submission. 30th June
- Stage 3: Virtual Mentorship + Final Proposal Submission – 15th July
- Stage 4: Live Presentation at CARS24 HQ (Top 5 Teams) – July/August
Evaluation Criteria
| # | Criterion | Weight |
| 1 | Clarity of Problem | 15% |
| 2 | Innovation and Relevance | 20% |
| 3 | Feasibility | 20% |
| 4 | Policy Depth | 20% |
| 5 | Potential Impact | 15% |
| 6 | Communication and Structure | 10% |
Click here to register.
Click here for details.
