Key Facts
Hyderabad recorded 1,604 road accidents, including 141 fatal accidents, involving 128 minors in the first five months of 2026. A safety audit of school zones revealed widespread infrastructure gaps.
Safety Audit Findings
Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) D. Joel Davis presented the findings at a meeting on school student road safety at Ravindra Bharathi on June 19, 2026. The audit found that:
- 80% of schools lacked school-zone warning boards
- 90% had no visible speed-limit signage
- 70% had no zebra crossings on connecting roads
- 70% lacked speed-calming measures near gates
- 70% had no designated pick-up/drop-off zones
- 60% had no footpaths; 20% had narrow footpaths
- 80% had no formal incident-reporting mechanism
- None had traffic enforcement cameras
Stakeholder Meeting
The meeting, organised by Hyderabad Traffic Police, included school managements, Transport department, GHMC, School Education department, UNICEF, and other agencies. Officials advised schools to maintain databases of students’ travel patterns, deploy trained traffic marshals, install CCTV cameras, and improve pedestrian infrastructure.
Helmet and Child Restraint Awareness
Data showed 94% of children involved in fatal motorcycle crashes were not wearing helmets. Low awareness of child restraint systems was noted, with most parents unfamiliar with their use despite proven effectiveness.
Auto-Rickshaw Safety
Police reiterated that auto-rickshaws transporting schoolchildren should carry no more than six children, and urged schools to sensitise parents about overcrowded vehicle risks.
What Readers Should Know
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar said the city has over 12 lakh students in nearly 3,500 to 3,800 schools, making student safety a shared responsibility. Transport Commissioner K. Ilambarithi noted Telangana records nearly 7,000 road accident deaths annually and stressed strengthening safety measures for children. The state has around 25,600 registered educational institution buses required to comply with safety regulations.
FAQ
How many children were involved in road accidents in Hyderabad in 2026?
In the first five months of 2026, 128 minors were involved in road accidents in Hyderabad.
What percentage of schools in Hyderabad lack warning boards?
80% of schools surveyed did not have school-zone warning boards.
What did the Hyderabad Police Commissioner say about student safety?
Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar said the city has over 12 lakh students in 3,500-3,800 schools, making student safety a shared responsibility.
Source: www.thehindu.com