In Balochistan’s Lasbela district, a bus carrying pilgrims from Iran fell into a ravine, resulting in twelve deaths and thirty-three injuries. In another incident, twenty-six passengers lost their lives in a passenger coach accident in the Kahuta area. Both accidents were caused by speeding.
Unfortunately, more blood is being shed on the roads in our beloved country than during the wars between Pakistan and India. The reckless overtaking and obsession with speeding among commercial vehicle drivers are major contributors to fatal accidents. The corruption among traffic control officers and those responsible for vehicle inspections has turned our roads into “bloodthirsty rivers.”
Every day, news of traffic accidents from various corners of the country is broadcasted on TV channels. If no strategy is developed to prevent these accidents, there is a fear that their number will increase by 200% by 2030 in Pakistan. Legally, only those with a driving license are allowed to drive, but is this truly the case? Are driving licenses issued entirely through corruption-free means?
The process often starts with finding a tout, and once found, the tout takes care of the license process. The majority of citizens drive on the roads without obtaining basic education and training from a driving school, which has led to a significant rise in the rate of accidents. Many avoid driving schools because they see the fees and time spent with instructors as a waste.
The role of car manufacturers is also crucial as it is related to road safety. In Pakistan, the role of car manufacturers is questionable; the vehicles made here often do not meet safety standards. The damage seen in cars after accidents is evident to everyone. First and foremost, there needs to be an increase in the number of car manufacturers, and they must be held accountable to ensure they focus on the quality of vehicles. The industry is currently in decline, and the materials used in car production are often substandard, leading to cars being completely destroyed in a single accident, resulting in the loss of many lives.
An estimated forty thousand people lose their lives in traffic accidents every year, with thousands more suffering severe injuries or becoming permanently disabled. Major causes include speeding, reckless driving, poor road conditions, vehicle malfunctions, overloading, violating one-way rules, overtaking, signal jumping, untrained drivers, using mobile phones while driving, underage driving without a license, brake failure, and the use of expired tires. However, the most significant cause is the impatience of road users.
The recently introduced motorcycle rickshaw is also causing accidents; from a distance, it appears to be a motorcycle, but it is much more. Illegal encroachments and incorrect parking along roads are also contributing to accidents. Interestingly, while there are laws for motor vehicles, there are none for slow-moving vehicles like donkey or bullock carts, which makes them not only above the law but also a major cause of traffic accidents.
These individuals urgently need training to gain complete awareness of road usage. Young people often ignore traffic signs and rules due to their impulsive behavior. In many cases, they are not even properly trained, and their obsession with speeding leads to numerous accidents. Many motorcycle rickshaw drivers are minors without a driving license, putting their own and others’ lives at risk due to their ignorance of traffic laws.
Many people build substandard speed breakers in front of their homes, leading to traffic accidents. In major Pakistani cities, 84% of roads lack zebra crossings, bridges, or walkways, forcing pedestrians to cross roads at their own peril. Overloading significantly contributes to accidents; excessive weight often leads to tire punctures or blowouts, making it extremely difficult to control large vehicles, which then often overturn, causing severe damage to nearby vehicles.
Heavy traffic should be prohibited from entering cities against the usual traffic flow, and fines should be imposed on those who overload vehicles. Speed limits must be set for drivers, and public transportation needs to be provided in every small and large city. Distractions such as mobile phones or in-car LCD screens also lead to accidents. There is often hesitation in using seat belts, with only 5% of drivers wearing them while driving, leading to a significant loss of lives in accidents.
Most new cars come with seat belts for the rear seats, but people are often unwilling to wear them. On highways, seat belts are worn only out of fear of fines, not for safety. Only 2% of motorcyclists wear helmets, and many have excuses for not wearing them, such as discomfort or difficulty riding. It is common to see underage children driving vehicles on the roads. Shockingly, many children drive rickshaws, another cause of accidents.
A major reason for many accidents is the failure to carry out necessary vehicle maintenance on time. People often neglect essential maintenance tasks like checking brakes, brake oil, gear oil, tire pressure, and replacing tires after the recommended usage period. Other causes include overloading, whether of passengers or goods. During school hours, it is common to see rickshaws and pickups overcrowded with children, leading to accidents when vehicles lose balance.
The growing trend of one-wheeling among Pakistani youth is also contributing to accidents and must be discouraged at every level. Speeding above the designated limit is another major cause of accidents. Not using turn signals when making U-turns or using them at the last moment also leads to accidents. In Pakistan, 80% to 90% of traffic accidents occur due to reckless speeding, yet we are unwilling to change our behavior, which is the fundamental cause of these deadly traffic issues and accidents.
To prevent traffic accidents, it is essential that the public and authorities sincerely implement the proposed measures.