I received a mail from Roy Manohar who writes, “It was nice to read your article on suggestion that road safety to be taught to kids. I would like to elaborate a bit more on this subject and I hope this would be read by some of the big brass our esteemed police force.

“Taking a positive view of the traffic situation, I would recommend the Traffic Department organize a Traffic Awareness Month. This method is adopted in foreign countries. During this whole month, police force is deployed in most of the signals and behaves very friendly.

“They inform the offenders very politely on the mistakes that are done and give them necessary inputs how to avoid them in the future.

“Adding a bit more activity during this awareness month, I would like to put a few more things that they can follow:
1. TV media can be used to graphically depict the traffic rules
2. Schools/Institutes to be provided with lectures and demonstrations of how to stick to disciplined traffic regulations. Also, teach how students can be morals to their parents by asking their parents to follow traffic rules.
School bus drivers (who are the frequent rule breakers) to be advised how they should be an example to the students who travel in their vehicles.
3. All Govt and Private companies or organizations need to be educated on traffic rules by giving lectures and demonstrations. Respective companies HRD department should be given all information to emphasize strict discipline by their employees (including their big bosses).

“Once, this is completed, the cops can go on spree of catching the offenders. But, all well said and done, unless the very basic attitude of our fellow citizens is changed by their internal conscience, it is very difficult.”

I fully agree with you Manohar regarding educating people with basic traffic rules. The Delhi Traffic Police does celebrate Road Safety Week, but your suggestion regarding celebrating Traffic Awareness Month is good. I think for one month the cops should go on a drive to teach all road users including the pedestrians to follow traffic rules and the rest eleven months go on filling up Home Ministry’s coffers without any guilt feeling. I also would like to add that the transport department should be very strict in issuing driving licence. The schools should encourage in teaching children traffic awareness. They should have books on traffic education in the library. One of the few books available in the market is “Safe Driving” by Hubert Ebner (011-30961359-60). This is the best available manual on traffic and rules of the road. Regarding understanding rules of transport department, the best book is “The Perfect Motoring” by Anil Chhikara (Published by Satya Prakashan – 25725679/25720653).