Transgenders, students to offer traffic lessons Abhinav.Garg@timesgroup.com New Delhi: Don't be surpri- sed if the next time you honk recklessly, a college student or a transgender offers you lessons in traffic rules at the intersection. Keen toinstill basic traffic sense in all commuters—mo- torists as well as pedestrians- —without the coercive threat of a challan, the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) under the supervi- sion of the Delhi high court has decided to launch a uni- que project. A pilot project is about to start with 30-50 transgenders, who have signed up to inter- act with road users in a fri- endly manner, said a DSLSA source. Law students and pa- ralegal volunteers from ro- ughly 250 colleges across the national capital region have also been roped in. The city is witnessing an alarming rise in traffic indi- scipline—drunk driving, Apilot project is being started to address rampant indiscipline, including traffic violations by motorists and illegal parking of autos and e-rickshaws in public places reckless honking, red-light violations, said an_ officer. “There is an urgent need to educate and sensitise people about observing traffic rules. Otherwise, with the constant increase in the number of ve- hicles, accidents and fataliti- esonDelhiroadsareboundto goup,” headded. DSLSA sources said that to firm up the project, mem- ber secretary Dharmesh Sharma recently met Delhi Police commissioner Alok Kumar Verma and special CP Sandeep Goel. ‘The authorities want the project to address rampant indiscipline, including traf: fic violations by motorists and illegal parking of autos and e-rickshaws in public places suchas Metroand rail- way stations, hospitals and bus stands. The volunteers will use “catchy slogans and playing cards to make people aware” of traffic rules, regulations, etiquettes and discipline on roads. Pamphlets with FAQs in several languages will also be distributed to the offen- ders. According to the National Crime Records Bureau statis- ties, Delhi has been named as one of the most unsafe cities for commuters. Last year, the city recorded the highest num- ber of traffic-related deaths. ‘The HC has been long ad- vocating intelligent traffic management system. Last month, the traffic police told thecourtthat ithad identified more than a dozen “black spots” in the city, which were more vulnerable to accidents.