Alarmed by a steady increase in road mishaps, the Telangana State Legal Services Authority (TSLSA) has initiated a major five-day public awareness campaign named "Road Suraksha Abhiyan, 2026". The campaign specifically aims to educate students, youth, and the general public on crucial road safety norms and responsible driving behavior.
High Court Justice Flags Alarming Accident Statistics
The campaign was formally inaugurated by Justice P. Sam Koshy of the Telangana High Court, who also serves as the Executive Chairman of TSLSA. The launch event took place at Chinmaya Vidyalaya in Kundanbagh, Hyderabad, on Monday.
Justice Koshy presented stark data to underline the urgency of the initiative. Citing annual road safety reports, he stated that 2025 witnessed approximately 24,826 accident cases in the state. This figure marks a worrying increase of 5.6% compared to the previous year, 2024. The human cost of these accidents was devastating, with about 6,500 fatalities and 14,768 individuals sustaining injuries.
Unreported Cases and Youth Vehicle Craze Add to Crisis
Highlighting recent fatal accidents, Justice Koshy analyzed the root causes behind the escalating numbers. He pointed to the rapid proliferation of vehicles, including two-wheelers and four-wheelers, on state roads. A significant factor, he noted, is the "craze" among young students and youth to own personal vehicles, often without adequate training or regard for safety rules.
The judge also revealed a hidden dimension of the problem, mentioning that hundreds of accident cases likely go unreported, suggesting the actual scale of the issue might be even larger than official records indicate.
Call for Curriculum Integration and Student Pledge
Addressing the student audience directly, Justice Koshy urged them to study the campaign's message, understand its importance, and implement the lessons—especially when they are on the road or behind the wheel. He made a strong pitch for institutionalizing road safety education, emphasizing that it must be included in the academic curriculum.
Taking inspiration from initiatives in states like Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, which have established traffic signal parks for student awareness, Justice Koshy led the gathering in taking a solemn road safety pledge, committing to responsible behavior.
Widespread Awareness Camps Across the State
During the five-day drive, Legal Services Authorities at the district and taluk levels are organizing extensive awareness camps in schools and colleges across Telangana. These sessions focus on elucidating the rules and regulations outlined in the Motor Vehicles Act, using interactive methods to instill a sense of duty and caution among the young population, who are both current and future road users.
The "Road Suraksha Abhiyan, 2026" represents a concerted legal and societal effort to curb preventable tragedies and build a culture of safety on Telangana's roads, starting with its most vulnerable and impressionable citizens.
