Apart from managing traffic on Delhi roads and booking violators, the Delhi Traffic Police plays a major role in educating road users too. The cops feel that road accidents are the result of lack of awareness and attitudinal problems of road users. Most of the road users are ignorant of road signs and markings, have least knowledge about defensive driving tactics and are inconsiderate to users. The Road Safety cell of the Delhi Traffic Police conducts educational and awareness programmes among al category of road users including commercial vehicle drivers and school children.

Besides Road Safety Cell, the field staff including Traffic Inspectors and Zonal Officers posted in different traffic circles also organise safety awareness programmes for children. Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Qamar Ahmed in his annual report informed that 1315 schools were covered by Road Safety Cell and field staff last year under this programme. Besides the Delhi Traffic Police’s Traffic Training Parks had visitors from 593 schools.

The Road Safety Cell has also designed and prepared a textbook for school children falling in the age group of 12-16 years covering topics on road safety norms to be followed while on roads for school children. They have proposed to make ‘Road Safety’ a compulsory subject up to class X.

I truly support this call by the traffic cops. Road Safety should be made a compulsory subject in the school. Rather than forcing people to follow traffic rules, if the habit of following traffic rules is inculcated in children right from the beginning only, they will emerge much better citizens.