Challan for change
To commemorate National Road Safety Month 2024, the TUL Foundation sought to address one of the most persistent challenges in cities — unsafe driving behaviour. Recognising that behaviour, rather than just infrastructure, often determines safety outcomes, the team turned to Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) as a means to cultivate long-term, community-driven change. BCC has been globally recognised for its ability to influence how people act and, in turn, modify their environment to promote safer habits.
"Children are the best indicator of a city's liveability. If they can move freely and safely, everyone can."
- Gil Peñalosa, Urbanist
About the initiative
The Foundation designed an interactive exercise centred around a unique tool — the “Traffic Challan Book for Children.” This initiative encourages children under the age of 13 to observe and record instances where traffic rules are violated by their parents, guardians, or drivers. Conducted over a week, the activity turns children into “road safety advocates” within their families, reinforcing responsible driving through playful accountability.
The pilot edition was successfully implemented in collaboration with the Ahmedabad Traffic Police at Planet Discovery, Centre for Environment Education.
What We Found
The exercise demonstrated that children play a powerful role in influencing adult behaviour. When children observed and discussed traffic violations, parents and guardians became more conscious of their actions on the road. The approach not only heightened awareness but also fostered meaningful conversations about safety within households — an encouraging sign of BCC’s potential in everyday contexts.
Outcomes
- Empowered children by amplifying their voices and giving them an active role in promoting civic responsibility.
- Encouraged self-reflection among parents and guardians, prompting them to reassess their driving habits through the eyes of their children.
- Laid the foundation for a scalable approach to improving road discipline, fostering a culture where safe driving becomes a shared family value rather than merely a legal obligation.
What we hope to change
The TUL Foundation aims to expand this initiative to schools across Ahmedabad, scaling its reach and measuring its long-term impact on reducing road fatalities. By empowering children to lead change within their homes, the Foundation envisions building a culture of safety and shared responsibility — one where behavioural change becomes as integral to road safety as engineering or enforcement
