Awareness campaigns suggested to control traffic accidents

Walk organised by National Highway and Motorway Police to mark the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.


Express November 22, 2010

LAHORE: There is a need to change the mindset that road accidents happen because it is God’s will. They mostly take place due to driver’s negligence or a fault in the vehicle, Rescue 1122 DG Rizwan Naseer said on Sunday.

He was addressing the participants of a walk organised by the National Highway and Motorway Police (NHMP) at Ravi Toll Plaza to mark the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

Naseer emphasised the importance of media in promoting road ethics. He said that all stakeholders should commit themselves to work towards creating awareness about traffic rules.

The director general said that road accidents were the leading cause of deaths among the youth in Pakistan. He said that by reducing road accidents we could spare the families who lose their young bread earners a huge economic strain. Naseer said that since its inception Rescue 1122 has saved the lives of around 280,000 people injured in traffic accidents. He said the number of deaths and disabilities due to bomb blasts in one year was only a fraction of those caused by road accidents.

He said that while there was a Motor Vehicle Ordinance for automobiles, there was no legislation to cover other road users. “We need to train people about road usage rules,” he said, adding there was a need to start a driver licensing programme to train people before issuing them licences.

DIG Syed Ibne Hussain directed the NHMP personnel to guide the drivers about traffic rules and regulations so that road accidents could be avoided.

He asked them to promote ‘soft policing’ culture.

The participants included officials of the NHMP and Rescue 1122 and people from various walks of life including sports and showbiz.

The NHMP had put up banners with public service messages along the one-kilometre route of the walk. NHMP IG Dr Wasim Kausar was also present.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2010.

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