Traffic rules

Letter October 30, 2021
Traffic rules

KARACHI:

The traffic system in metropolitan cities of Pakistan is worsening day by day because people continue to violate traffic rules with impunity. Uncontrolled traffic and congestion on roads have resulted in several fatal accidents. According to the Punjab police department, in 2019 and 2020, as many as 9,701 accidents were recorded in Lahore, and of them 4,403 were fatal and 5,298 non-fatal. These numbers suggest that 47% of these accidents result in loss of lives.

Provincial and federal governments have introduced several regulations to ensure smooth running of traffic and compliance with traffic rules. In some areas, traffic signals have been installed and traffic wardens are also trained to regulate the traffic effectively. At times, wardens engage in unlawful acts such as accepting bribes, in turn, allowing people to drive carelessly.

Blatant violation of traffic rules leads to chaotic traffic in major cities during rush hours, which adds to the woes of motorists. The government needs to urgently pay attention to this issue and enforce rigorous traffic rules across the country. It must initiate campaigns to encourage people to follow traffic rules and drive safely. In addition, proper traffic signals should be installed everywhere, and the presence of traffic wardens must always be ensured. On busy roads, there should be at least three wardens controlling the traffic. People’s safety and wellbeing on roads must not be ignored.

Muhammad Waqas

Lahore

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31st, 2021.

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