Sri Vijaya Puram: The Traffic Branch of Andaman & Nicobar Police has launched a district-wide road safety awareness campaign targeting school students across the islands. The initiative is part of a larger effort to instill safe road practices in younger generations and reduce accident rates.
Launched in early May, the campaign has covered several prominent government and private schools, including GDMS, Navy Children School, Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya (Lamba Line), and GSSS Schools in Haddo, Junglighat, and Goalghar. Additional outreach events were held at GSSS Delanipur, Garacharma, Prothrapur, Dairy Farm, Bathu Basti, and Sippighat.
Each session included interactive lectures, videos, and real-life accident case studies tailored to the age group of the audience. Students were educated about key safety protocols such as using helmets and seatbelts, avoiding mobile phones while driving, pedestrian awareness, and understanding road signage.
Special focus was given to two-wheeler usage among students, which has been a growing concern in Sri Vijaya Puram and nearby urban pockets. Students were also sensitized to the dangers of over speeding, rash driving, and underage driving.
Teachers and staff actively participated in the sessions, helping ensure the message was reinforced at institutional levels. Road safety pledges were taken by several student groups as a symbolic commitment to responsible behavior on roads.
Speaking to the media, traffic officials noted that road accidents involving juveniles and young adults have seen an uptick in recent years. The campaign, therefore, aims not just at compliance but building a safety-first culture from a young age.
According to sources, similar awareness initiatives are being planned in rural and remote schools in the coming weeks. Posters, pamphlets, and school competitions themed around traffic safety are also in the pipeline.
The police have requested school administrations to report incidents of unsafe commuting practices and cooperate in long-term behavioral monitoring. They also plan to involve Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) in sustained dialogue on this issue.
This awareness drive is a part of the UT administration’s larger ‘Safe Andaman’ initiative, which includes improved traffic monitoring, smart signalization, and the use of CCTV for enforcing violations. The administration is also exploring stricter penalties for repeat offenders and enhanced checks at school zones.
Public response to the campaign has been largely positive, with many praising the effort to reach students at the grassroots level rather than relying solely on punitive action.
The Traffic Police have assured that such sensitization programs will continue throughout the academic year to reinforce safe road behavior among the future generation.
