Youth Aged 18–40 Most Frequent Traffic Rule Breakers: Ahmedabad Police Launch Unique Awareness Drive
In a significant move to tackle rising road accidents, the Ahmedabad Traffic Police have identified a concerning trend—youth aged between 18 and 40 are the most frequent violators of traffic rules in the city. Based on a recent survey, officials found that this age group not only contributes the highest number of violations but also forms the largest segment of multiplex visitors, prompting authorities to adopt an innovative awareness strategy.
To address the issue, traffic police have decided to screen short films on road safety in cinema halls across the city. These films will be shown before the movie begins, during intervals, and after screenings, aiming to capture the audience’s attention when they are most receptive. The initiative is designed as a “soft power” approach to influence behavior and instill a sense of responsibility among viewers.
The short films are a result of a large-scale competition previously organized by the police, which received over 700 registrations and 458 film entries. From these, an expert panel selected the top 10 films, each ranging from 30 seconds to two minutes. The films highlight critical issues such as not wearing helmets, ignoring seat belts, wrong-side driving, triple riding, mobile phone usage while driving, and jumping traffic signals. They also portray the emotional and social consequences of road accidents, particularly the impact on victims’ families.
Traffic DCP Naresh Kanjeria emphasized that penalties alone are not enough to bring behavioral change. He noted that many violators continue to repeat offences even after paying fines. According to him, visual storytelling in a calm environment like a cinema hall can leave a lasting impression and encourage safer driving habits. Authorities are also planning to make it mandatory for all theatres to screen these awareness films.
Meanwhile, traffic data from the past three years highlights the scale of the problem. A total of 2.8 million challans have been issued in Ahmedabad, amounting to a massive Rs.1,823 crore in fines. On average, around 2,562 challans are issued daily, generating approximately Rs.1.62 crore per day. The city currently ranks fourth in India in terms of total fines collected, after Gurugram, Pune, and Chennai, and stands third in the number of challans issued.
With this initiative, the Ahmedabad Traffic Police aim to move beyond enforcement and focus on awareness-driven change, hoping that consistent messaging through cinema screens will help reduce violations and ultimately save lives.
