Concerned over rising road safety risks, an awareness rally was organised on the busy stretch between Cellular Jail and Corbyn’s Cove to sensitise motorists against rash driving and the indiscriminate use of high-beam headlights.
The campaign, spearheaded by Rotary Club Next Gen in collaboration with TSG Foundation, focused on everyday driving violations that continue to cause congestion, near-misses and accidents on city roads. Volunteers highlighted how high-beam driving becomes particularly hazardous on undivided roads, where glare directly affects oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
Participants including Mandeep Grewal, Dakshin and Vignesh emphasised that the absence of divided carriageways on several city routes makes lane discipline and correct headlight use critical. Motorists were urged to follow lane markings, respect the free-left lane, and avoid sudden lane changes that often trigger traffic snarls.
The rally also drew attention to chronic bottlenecks created by roadside parking on both sides of the road, especially along the Bhatubasti–Garacharma corridor. According to the organisers, illegal and unregulated parking significantly reduces road width, worsening congestion and increasing the risk of collisions.
Calling for stronger enforcement, the campaigners appealed to higher authorities to strictly penalise violations such as rash driving, wrong-side movement, misuse of high beams and improper parking. They also reiterated the long-pending demand to regulate the movement of heavy vehicles during peak hours, suggesting restrictions between 8 am and 9 pm to ease daytime traffic pressure.
Beyond enforcement, the organisers stressed the need for long-term infrastructure solutions. Proposals included construction of flyovers to bypass major choke points, widening and resurfacing of bypass roads, and smoother road engineering to improve traffic flow. They also flagged gaps in driver training, noting that many driving schools inadequately teach road etiquette, particularly night-time driving practices.
At the heart of the campaign was a message on civic responsibility. “Improving traffic conditions is not only the job of authorities; citizens must inculcate basic civic sense while driving,” the organisers said, urging motorists to adopt patience, courtesy and rule-based driving as everyday habits.
The awareness drive forms part of a continuing effort by civil society groups to promote safer, more disciplined driving culture across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
