India Turns to Crowdsourcing for Tackling Traffic Violations

The use of crowdsourcing and social networking sites to police street traffic is slowly gaining popularity in India, the latest of a few countries to undertake this practice. The traffic police of the nation's cities, including Pune, Chennanai, and Delhi have partnered with Facebook and called on users to post information on any traffic violations in their neighbourhood.

Already thousands of users have started following the traffic police Facebook pages and submitted both photographs and video footage of traffic violations, to be acted upon by police. In addition to citizens supplying information, the police themselves post notices and bulletins asking for the public's assistance. Relevant footage and information is provided by users and police, and those following the updates on Facebook can then either respond with information or share it with their friends and families.  For example, the police in Bangalore posted information on their Facebook page of a hit and run incident, searching for the driver. Within three days the post was shared over 27,000 times.

India does not have the best reputation in terms of driving, and tourists are often advised to take caution should they do decide to hit the roads. Yet violations of traffic laws is not tolerated and by crowdsourcing information on infractions of traffic laws through Facebook, a direct line of communication is established between watchful members of the public and the police. It also sends the clear message that potential offenders are being watched.

Where Facebook is allowing for the flow of information on traffic violations, some cities in India are taking the initiative a step further. Police departments in cities such as Chennai and Delhi are providing drivers with traffic updates via Twitter. Here, authorities provide real time updates on road closures, accidents, and event information pertaining to offences which are linked to Facebook. Chennai's initiative has proven to be successful and has been recognized with awards that acknowledge the use of IT in government initiatives. A full list of India traffic police that have social networking pages can be found here.