Comic Book Turns Road Safety Guide

At the 3rd edition of the CII National Conclave on Road Safety held at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, Rosmerta Technologies Limited unveiled The Curious Bunch, a children’s comic book designed to promote road safety awareness from an early age. The initiative reflects the company’s view that sustainable improvements in road safety depend on nurturing responsible behaviour among young citizens.

India continues to face significant road safety challenges despite recent progress. The government has prioritised a comprehensive strategy based on the “4Es” framework — Engineering, Education, Enforcement, and Emergency Care — to reduce accidents and fatalities. The comic book initiative aligns with the education pillar of this framework, emphasising behavioural change through awareness.

Children as Catalysts for Safer Roads

Road safety remains a pressing national concern, with over 1.68 lakh fatalities reported in 2022, according to government data. Industry leaders emphasised that road safety is not only a regulatory issue but also a matter of collective responsibility and public awareness. Teaching children the importance of helmets, seatbelts, traffic signals, and pedestrian discipline can transform them into ambassadors of safety within their families and communities.

Speaking to Acko Drive on the sidelines of the launch of the comic book, Rajesh Mohan, DSP, Gurugram Traffic Police explained that children are not only vulnerable victims of road accidents but can also serve as powerful “brand ambassadors” for change. He emphasized that road safety is a critical subject that should be introduced during the formative years of a child’s life.

“Road safety should be an essential skill that every person should have. Childhood is the phase where we can instill this and children are more receptive to comics. So, the idea is that children don’t get bored while learning about traffic rules and regulations,” said Mohan.

Inside The Curious Bunch

Designed as an illustrated and engaging learning tool, The Curious Bunch presents everyday road scenarios in a relatable format. The comic covers pedestrian safety, school bus conduct, traffic signals, helmet and seatbelt usage, and the importance of child restraint systems. Its objective is to make safe behaviour easy to understand, memorable, and practical for young readers.

The comic was released following a special plenary session on “Road Safety and Children as Brand Ambassadors,” reinforcing the importance of youth engagement in building safer communities.

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Educational and Behavioural Change for All Road Users

In his concluding remarks, Mohan reiterates his belief that education is the key to fostering discipline among all road users—drivers, riders, and pedestrians alike. He highlights that pedestrians constitute one of the largest categories of road accident victims, based on available data. Therefore, road safety education must address not only vehicle operators but also pedestrians, teaching them safe practices such as proper use of crossings. 

Mohan said, “If you want to change anybody's behaviour, there are multiple options. One is you penalise them for the wrong behaviour and then the right behaviour is engaged. But the other way is educating them and instilling a sense of civic culture where you follow the traffic rules. That is more long term and more effective.”