Delhi Traffic Police launch Traffic Pathshala safety classes for violators
The Delhi Traffic Police launched 'Traffic Pathshala', a month-long road safety awareness campaign running from July 1 to 31, which requires traffic violators intercepted at Sri Aurobindo Marg and other selected hotspots to attend mandatory 15-minute counseling sessions. The initiative aims to foster behavioral change and protect vulnerable road users by educating offenders rather than relying solely on monetary fines.
Under the initiative, traffic personnel hold the counseling sessions using videos, charts, and interactive discussions to explain the consequences of traffic violations. The sessions cover common offenses such as jumping red lights, riding without helmets, overspeeding, using mobile phones while driving, and not wearing seat belts.
Chandan Kumar, a delivery agent who was stopped on Sri Aurobindo Marg for riding his motorcycle without a helmet, was among those required to attend. Instead of just paying a challan, Kumar sat through an impromptu session with 15 to 20 other violators. Gaurav, a student stopped for jumping a red light, also attended.
Sandeep Goyal, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), South, said the goal is to encourage a change in behavior rather than relying solely on monetary penalties.
Traffic Inspector Madhurendra Kumar urged participants during a session to be mindful of vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, senior citizens, children, and animals. He noted that mixed traffic makes these groups less capable of protecting themselves. He added that local interventions and citizen coordination had reduced average accidents in his area from 12 to eight over the preceding eight months.
By July 13, the Delhi Traffic Police had conducted 183 intersection drives, organized 226 road safety sessions, and interacted with more than 5,600 violators. During this period, police recorded 696 cases of wrong-side driving, 246 instances of red-light jumping, and 319 cases of triple riding. Around 1,270 motorists were issued challans for riding without helmets, while over 330 compliant motorists were awarded badges.
