Hyderabad: The government’s latest road safety campaign “Good Road Habits Start Young” encourages Parents and Schools to teach children how to walk safely, cross carefully and follow traffic rules from an early age. The message is clear: road discipline begins at home and in classrooms. But on the city’s Congested, Damaged and Chaotic roads, many are asking how can good habits survive when the system itself is broken?
While officials emphasize awareness and personal responsibility, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Across Hyderabad and other urban centers, pothole ridden roads, fading zebra crossings, and malfunctioning signals have turned daily commutes into a test of patience and risk. Despite repeated appeals, little has changed on the streets where the campaign’s lessons are supposed to apply.
Public Responsibility vs. Government Negligence
Traffic experts agree that discipline on the road begins with citizens wearing helmets, avoiding wrong side driving and following signals. Yet they also point out that no amount of public awareness can succeed without basic infrastructure and consistent enforcement.
“The government is asking citizens to walk safely and obey signs, but where are the proper footpaths, functional signals or visible road markings?” asked a city resident frustrated by daily traffic snarls. “We teach our children the right habits, but they see adults stuck in chaos what lesson does that send?”
Broken Roads, Broken Promises
Many arterial roads in the city remain riddled with potholes despite repeated patchwork repairs. Damaged dividers, Overflowing drainage, and Illegal parking add to the confusion. Motorists complain that poorly coordinated repair works and lack of lane discipline only worsen congestion.
During peak hours, even short distances can take over an hour to cross. Ironically, while officials urge road safety, many departments are more focused on capturing photos of awareness drives and social media campaigns rather than ensuring actual on ground improvement.
A Culture of Neglect
Experts say the issue extends beyond poor maintenance it’s an institutional mindset. Coordination between departments such as GHMC, R&B and the Traffic Police remains weak. There’s often little follow up after public complaints or inspections. Instead, temporary fixes and publicity events take precedence over sustained planning.
Adding to the chaos, citizens themselves often ignore basic etiquette jumping signals, stopping over pedestrian crossings or driving on footpaths. “Public ignorance and administrative apathy are feeding off each other,” said a retired transport official. “Until both change, no campaign will make the roads safer.”
The Way Forward
Urban planners suggest a three step approach:
- Repair first, Educate next: Good infrastructure and visible signage must come before behavioral campaigns.
- Enforcement with empathy: Strict but fair traffic policing can build discipline without harassment.
- Consistent civic education: Schools, Media and Resident associations can keep safety awareness alive beyond one time campaigns.
Conclusion
“Good road habits start young,” the slogan says. But good Governance, Accountability and Planning must start at the top. Without safe, well maintained and disciplined roads the next generation’s lessons will fade under the Horns, Potholes and Gridlock of everyday life.
