By News Karnataka Editorial Team
Copyright newskarnataka
Bengaluru (Karnataka): In a bid to improve road safety awareness, the Bengaluru Traffic Police, in collaboration with CrashFreeIndia, a road safety initiative by Cars24, has installed a digital billboard at Trinity Circle that displays traffic violations in real time. The innovative initiative aims to make drivers more conscious of traffic rules and their responsibilities on the road.
How the system works
The billboard uses an Automatic Plate Recognition (APR) camera to scan vehicle number plates. The captured data is processed through AI, which retrieves violation details from the VAHAN database. Vehicles that have violated traffic rules see their number plate displayed along with the specifics of their offences. Conversely, vehicles with a clean record receive positive reinforcement with a thumbs-up and a message such as, “Good job, keep it up.”
Each vehicle’s information is displayed for approximately 30 to 40 seconds before rotating to the next. The system does not enforce immediate fines but encourages drivers to pay pending challans and follow traffic rules more diligently.
Officials speak on initiative
Karthik Reddy, Joint Commissioner of Bengaluru Traffic Police, explained the purpose of the billboard: “It is a good program to create awareness amongst citizens. Even though the majority are law-abiding, they may have committed violations unknowingly. It does not force people to pay the fines on the spot but is only a way to push people to be aware and then pay up.”
Gajendra Jangid, Co-Founder and CMO of Cars24, highlighted the safety aspect: “We’re reminding people that every act of responsibility on the road, no matter how small, is what keeps an entire city safe. Safety doesn’t come from systems alone; it comes from choices. And the road is the one place where your choices instantly touch thousands of lives.”
Inspiration behind the idea
The initiative was conceptualised after discussions between Cars24 representatives and the Bengaluru Traffic Police. A Cars24 spokesperson said the inspiration came from schooldays: “The idea came from how teachers used to write the names of noisy students on the blackboard.” The goal is to encourage responsible driving by making violations visible in real time.
Mixed public response
Since its installation, the billboard has drawn mixed reactions. Many commuters have welcomed the initiative as a step toward better road safety, with several clearing pending challans and pledging to drive responsibly. Others have expressed concerns about privacy, viewing the public display of violations as intrusive.
Despite differing opinions, the early results suggest that the billboard is already having an impact on driver behaviour, reinforcing the importance of following traffic rules consistently.
Bengaluru’s AI-powered billboard at Trinity Circle represents a novel approach to traffic management. By combining technology with real-time awareness, the initiative seeks to create a culture of accountability on the roads. While debates over privacy continue, the program demonstrates how AI and digital solutions can positively influence public behaviour and urban safety.
