Road safety is not just a technical matter, it is a societal priority, said the Central Road Research Institute scientist Mohan Rao, setting the tone for the Traffic Summit 2025 in Hyderabad, urging policymakers, planners, and citizens to treat safe mobility as a collective responsibility.The two-day summit, organised by the Hyderabad City Security Council and Hyderabad City Police at Jal Vihar, Necklace Road, concluded on September 19. It brought together government officials, industry leaders, academics, technologists, and civil society to examine Hyderabad’s growing traffic challenges and seek practical solutions.The summit discussed advanced technologies to improve traffic systems, including AI, drone and high-rise camera monitoring, VIP convoy management, and modern signal systems. The Tanla Pulse app will now be available within the Hyderabad City Police Commissionerate to enhance traffic monitoring and public engagement.Telugu actor Kiran Abbavaram was the chief guest at the concluding event. In his address, he shared a personal tragedy, revealing that his brother died in a road accident. He admitted that he had earlier disregarded traffic rules but said the incident changed his outlook completely. He stated that every time he drives, he reminds himself of his family’s need for his safe return, urging young people to take traffic rules seriously. “For your fun, for your enjoyment, do not take the lives of others,” he said.A panel discussion on road safety and safe urban infrastructure was moderated by Dr Mohan Rao, Chief Scientist at CRRI, who highlighted the importance of road design, pedestrian facilities, and addressing black spot locations to reduce fatalities. Panelists included Prof. C.S.R.K. Prasad, Vice Chancellor of NIT Warangal, who stressed adherence to design standards and India’s commitment under the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety to halve accident deaths by 2030.Dr Digvijay S. Pawar of IIT Hyderabad presented research on intersection safety and proposed sensor-based warning systems for Indian traffic conditions. Khusro Shah Khan of TGSRTC highlighted operational gaps such as poorly designed bus stops, encroachments, and inadequate pedestrian facilities. Kanthimathi Kannan of the Right to Walk Foundation emphasised pedestrian rights, advocating for safer walking environments and inclusive urban infrastructure.The summit concluded with key takeaways focusing on road design standards, context-specific technology adoption, implementation of safe infrastructure, prioritising pedestrians, and promoting shared responsibility among planners, engineers, operators, policymakers, and citizens.Published - September 20, 2025 12:48 am IST