Delhi Schools May Soon Teach Traffic Rules and Safety
Delhi Traffic Police has written to the city’s education department, requesting the inclusion of traffic rules and road safety education in the curriculum of government schools. This initiative is part of a larger 100-day master plan aimed at tackling traffic chaos and promoting safer road habits throughout the city. The move has garnered attention due to the urgency of addressing traffic-related challenges, particularly in light of the alarming increase in juvenile traffic violations.
The letter, addressed to the secretary of the education department of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD), outlines the importance of integrating the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, into the educational framework. According to the traffic police, including these laws in the curriculum would provide students with critical knowledge about road safety and help instil responsible driving habits from a young age. The proposal includes lessons on understanding traffic signs, signals, and the consequences of violating road safety rules. As part of the current strategy, the road safety cell within the Delhi Traffic Police conducts awareness sessions for students across schools. However, the police acknowledge that while these sessions have had some impact, they are insufficient in instilling lasting changes in road behaviour. The recent surge in underage driving violations is a clear indicator of the growing need for systemic education on road safety. The numbers are stark: from 69 cases in 2021, the number of juveniles fined for underage driving rose to 442 in 2024, marking an increase of over 540%. This worrying trend highlights the lack of awareness and responsibility among young people when it comes to road safety. The traffic police assert that issuing fines alone is not enough to deter reckless driving. Instead, they believe that early education can have a more profound, long-term impact on shaping safer drivers in the future.
While the traffic police have expressed optimism about the effectiveness of including road safety education in school curriculums, some schools and educators have raised concerns. Teachers warn that adding road safety lessons to an already packed syllabus may not be the best solution. Sunita, a school principal in Bawana, suggests that road safety should be taught as a practical subject rather than a theoretical one. She believes that awareness sessions, site visits, and interactions with traffic officials would be more beneficial than cramming additional lessons into the curriculum. Teachers also voiced concerns about the lack of training and resources needed to teach road safety effectively. Some suggested that road safety should be integrated into extracurricular activities rather than being part of the formal curriculum. These reservations highlight the challenges that could arise in implementing such a significant change without adequate support for teachers and schools.
Despite these concerns, many educators and parents agree that road safety education is critical, particularly in a city where road rage incidents and traffic violations are on the rise. Joginder Kumar, a principal in Rohini, echoed this sentiment, noting that integrating road safety education into schools could be a step towards fostering a more responsible generation of drivers. He believes that the move could play a crucial role in reducing road rage and traffic accidents. As the Delhi Traffic Police continues to push for the inclusion of road safety lessons in schools, the initiative’s success will depend on the collaboration between education authorities, schools, and traffic officials. While there may be hurdles to overcome, the potential benefits of educating young minds about road safety could be far-reaching, contributing to the development of a more responsible, safe, and sustainable urban environment in Delhi.
