Zuno General Insurance, the innovative digital insurer formerly known as Edelweiss General Insurance, is taking a bold step towards promoting road safety with its latest initiative, The Talking Zebra.
This unique campaign, which runs through January 25, aims to educate both motorists and pedestrians about the importance of following traffic rules, especially during India’s Road Safety Month, declared by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
The Talking Zebra initiative is not just about spreading awareness—it’s about fostering responsible driving habits and making road safety a topic that everyone can engage with. Zuno’s effort is in line with the growing need for road safety campaigns as India grapples with increasing road accidents, particularly those involving pedestrians.
The heart of the campaign is the Talking Zebra, a mascot that blends education with entertainment in a fun and approachable way. Dressed as a zebra—symbolizing zebra crossings—the character engages with the public at busy traffic signals across six major cities: Mumbai, Goa, Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. The idea is to capture people’s attention and make road safety conversations lively and memorable.
With wit and humor, the Talking Zebra encourages everyone to “Keep your cool, follow traffic rules,” while gently reminding drivers and pedestrians to adhere to traffic regulations such as stopping at red lights, respecting zebra crossings, and avoiding jaywalking. The approach aims to foster a sense of responsibility and make road safety a topic that resonates with people of all ages.
Shanai Ghosh, Managing Director and CEO of Zuno General Insurance, emphasized that road safety is a shared responsibility. “At Zuno, we believe in blending education with entertainment to drive lasting behavioral change,” she said. “The Talking Zebra campaign is an effort to make road safety relatable and engaging while fostering positive behavior on the streets. Beyond awareness, we also incentivize safe driving through our telematics-based Pay-How-You-Drive (PHYD) program, which offers discounts on car insurance premiums for good driving habits.”
This innovative initiative goes beyond just spreading awareness—it encourages drivers to actively participate in creating safer roads by adopting responsible driving practices.
India continues to witness a high number of pedestrian accidents, with reckless driving and disregard for traffic rules being the primary causes. According to recent reports, Kolkata alone saw a 15% increase in accidents over the last five years. This alarming trend highlights the importance of campaigns that specifically target pedestrian safety, especially at locations like zebra crossings.
The Talking Zebra initiative aims to change this narrative by addressing the issue in a lighthearted yet impactful manner. The presence of the zebra mascot at key traffic signals serves as a constant reminder for both pedestrians and drivers to stay vigilant and respect road safety measures.
India has one of the highest numbers of road accidents globally. The Annual Report on Road Accidents in India recorded over 4.6 lakh crashes, resulting in nearly 1.7 lakh fatalities in recent years. Road traffic injuries remain a significant public health issue, and the nation is currently on track to miss the UN’s goal of halving traffic deaths by 2030.
Zuno General Insurance is using the Talking Zebra campaign to shine a light on these critical statistics and motivate citizens to take action. By creating a fun, memorable experience for all, Zuno hopes to spark lasting change in how people approach road safety.
To maximize the campaign’s reach, Zuno has partnered with popular radio channel Red FM, ensuring the Talking Zebra’s voice resonates across the airwaves. Additionally, Zuno is encouraging people to get involved by sharing their road safety stories and engaging with the campaign on social media using hashtags like #TalkingZebra, #RespectTheStripes, and #StayCoolFollowRules.
Zuno General Insurance’s The Talking Zebra is more than just a campaign—it’s a movement to make roads safer, one conversation at a time. With humor, wit, and a sense of responsibility, Zuno is not just talking about road safety but is actively engaging with the community to drive positive change. As the campaign continues, it’s clear that the Talking Zebra is leaving a lasting impression on drivers and pedestrians alike, inspiring them to follow the rules and make India’s roads safer for all.
Through creative initiatives like this, Zuno General Insurance is proving that road safety awareness doesn’t have to be dull or dry—it can be fun, engaging, and impactful. The Talking Zebra is not just a reminder of the importance of traffic rules; it’s a call to action for all road users to do their part in creating a safer driving environment
