An elderly woman in Kozhikode demonstrated remarkable civic courage by blocking a scooter rider from using a footpath near Eranjippalam junction, as captured in a viral video shared widely on social media. This incident highlights ongoing traffic challenges in the city while inspiring calls for better enforcement.
Incident Details
The event occurred on Wednesday at the busy Eranjippalam traffic signal, where heavy congestion from buses and trucks prompted a middle-aged scooter rider to veer onto the pedestrian footpath to bypass the queue. A white-saree-clad woman in her early 60s, with silver hair and carrying a shoulder bag, swiftly intervened by stretching her legs to block his path and firmly demanding he reverse. When he persisted, she pulled out her smartphone to photograph the scooter’s registration number, forcing him to retreat to the main road.
The video, recorded by a passerby and posted Thursday by vlogger Aflu Stories on Instagram, shows her noticing the camera afterward and giving a confident thumbs-up. Several other two-wheelers had already used the footpath unchallenged before her stand.
Video Goes Viral
Shared across platforms like Instagram, Reddit, and Facebook, the clip garnered thousands of views and praise for her fearlessness. The Kerala Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) reposted it, seeking to identify and honor her—some sources name her Prabhavati. Comments hailed her as a “symbol of civic awareness,” with users noting risks to elderly and children from such violations.
Civic Impact and Lessons
Her use of a smartphone exemplifies digital empowerment for law-abiding citizens, aligning with MVD’s public participation drives via apps like 112 for reporting. This bystander intervention could inspire more, as studies show such acts boost compliance through social pressure. Authorities now eye stricter fines under Motor Vehicles Act amendments, potentially integrating AI monitoring.
Read more at : https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2026/02/12/kozhikode-elderly-woman-blocks-scooter-rider-traffic-violation.html