India: School students turn traffic cops to create awareness

NEW DELHI, May 21 (APD) - Delhi traffic police is stationing school students at intersections of the capital to help them understand traffic management and draw the attention of drivers to traffic rules.

The initiative was launched on Saturday and will take place every weekend for one month. On the first day more than 24 students took positions, at important Delhi intersections such as Vijay Chowk and Tilak Marg.

The students, supervised by the traffic police used hand movements to guide vehicles. They had already been taught the traffic drill at an ongoing summer camp.

Speaking to the Indian media, Harsh Mathur, a Class 10 student of a Delhi government school said, “After the drill, we have realized the problems that arise when vehicles decide to jump a traffic signal or when people drive vehicles rashly.”

Garima Bhatnagar, a traffic police officer explained that the initiative would not only make students aware about traffic rules but also provide them practical experience about traffic and road rules.

“These students will then take these lessons home and discuss it with their family and friends. It will greatly helping creating awareness,” added Bhatnagar.

Traffic officers, who supervised the children shared that they hoped that on seeing children guiding them at intersections, traffic violators would feel embarrassed about breaking rules and follow safe driving habits.

Amulya Patnaik, Delhi Police commissioner said, “Being active participants, they will also learn to appreciate the hard work put in by traffic police and the problems of traffic management.”

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)