Hyderabad: If you see catchy slogans like ‘I am not drunk but avoiding potholes’ or ‘Drill traffic sense in Hyderabadis’ pasted on cars, know that it is the handiwork of a group of citizens who just want safer roads. The group called Traffic Sense in Hyderabad is an umbrella group of nine non-profit groups, whose members are all professionals taking time out to spread the message about safer roads.
A camera fitted on Absan Pasha’s car
Mr Absan Pasha, the brain behind Traffic Sense in Hyderabad, retired from the mental health sector in England. “I was terrified with the traffic. I began consulting friends to change road behaviour, but they said, ‘it’s Hyderabad, nothing will change.’ I decided to open a FB page called Traffic sense in Hyderabad. I have installed four cameras, front and back and two at the blind spots of my modified car at a cost Rs 18,000. I record motorists’ dangerous moves like sudden turns, halts, speeding, unruly pedestrians etc. Through that videos I educate viewers.” Mr Pasha has travelled over 60,000 km in TS and has covered most highways.
Mr Absan Pasha’s advice to all motorists
1. Be considerate to other motorists and pedestrians on the road
2. Traffic on the right side always has the right of way
3. While entering the main road from a side lane, always stop, look and then proceed
4. Never get distracted while driving. Using the cellphone and texting while driving is extremely dangerous and must be avoided at all costs
5. Don’t put yourself in a situation that will hold back other traffic
6. Cutting across vehicles especially bikers, end in accidents
7. Maintain minimum distance between vehicles at the front and the rear
8. Don’t intervene in another’s speed
