POONCH: As part of the ongoing two-week intensive awareness-cum-enforcement drive across the jurisdiction of Traffic Police Rural Jammu, a student symposium and PowerPoint presentation were organized at Government Degree College – Poonch on the theme “Can Heavy Fines and Strict Penalties Change Road Behavior?”.
Addressing the gathering, SSP Traffic Rural Jammu Farooq Qaiser emphasized that the objective of traffic enforcement is not merely to issue challans or impose penalties, but to prevent crashes, save lives and bring about lasting behavioral change among road users.
A significant highlight of the interaction was the SSP’s appeal to girls and young women to use their “soft power” within their families to promote road safety. He urged them to persuade their fathers, brothers and other family members to wear helmets, use seat belts and follow traffic rules, emphasizing that a sincere reminder from a daughter or sister can sometimes achieve what a fine or penalty cannot. He described this influence as a powerful form of positive persuasion rooted in care, trust and family bonds, which can help transform everyday road behavior without confrontation.
The SSP also delivered a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the road-accident scenario, major contributing factors and the vulnerability of two-wheeler users. He called upon students to become road-safety ambassadors and carry the message of safe and responsible road use to their families, peers and communities.
Dr. Jasbir Singh, Principal, Government Degree College, Poonch, in his address appreciated the initiative of Traffic Police Rural Jammu and emphasized the importance of sustained road-safety education among students. He stressed that educational institutions have an important role in shaping responsible citizens and that road safety should become part of the everyday consciousness and conduct of young people. He also appreciated the efforts of the Traffic Police in engaging students through dialogue and awareness rather than relying solely on enforcement.
Ajaz Ahmed, DySP Traffic Rajouri-Poonch emphasized the importance of combining enforcement with awareness and community participation, stating that road safety is a shared responsibility of the Traffic Police, educational institutions, families and road users.
The symposium witnessed enthusiastic participation, with 12 students participating and around 300 students and 20 faculty members attending the programme. The performances were judged by a jury comprising Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed, Dr. Mohd. Akram and Dr. Tahseen Anas Khan. The programme was conducted by Dr. Waseem-ul-Haq, while Dr. Amjad Babar was the Convener, Literary Committee.
Aditya Singh Chandel secured the first position, Saniya Hafeez stood second and Iqra Mumtaz secured the third position. The winners were felicitated with mementos by the SSP Traffic Rural Jammu. A memento was also presented to Dr. Jasbir Singh in recognition of the institution’s cooperation and support. Sardar Surjeet Singh also graced the occasion.
The programme reinforced the central message that road safety cannot be achieved through enforcement alone. While penalties provide deterrence, lasting behavioral change requires awareness, responsible decision-making, self-discipline and collective ownership of road safety. The initiative forms part of the broader awareness-cum-enforcement strategy of Traffic Police Rural Jammu, with particular emphasis on reducing risky behavior among two-wheeler users and engaging young people and the wider community as active stakeholders in the road-safety mission.
Taking the campaign directly to the road, Traffic Police Rural Jammu also conducted an on-road road-safety counseling session at Nakhanwali Chowk, Poonch, where a dedicated canopy was established for interacting with road users. The initiative followed the innovative “No-Challan, Only Counseling” concept introduced in Rajouri a day earlier and replicated in Poonch. Road users, particularly two-wheeler riders, were invited to sit under the canopy and were counseled on helmet use, traffic discipline, safe driving practices and the consequences of risky road behavior. No challans were issued during the exercise, with the entire focus being on dialogue, sensitization and persuasion. The initiative was appreciated by members of the public and reflects the Traffic Police’s effort to complement enforcement with human engagement and positive behavioral intervention.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by DySP Traffic Rajouri-Poonch.
