Tackling road safety

Letter December 14, 2024
Tackling road safety

Road accidents have always been fairly common across Pakistan. Reckless driving, poorly maintained roads and a lack of traffic law enforcement have turned our roads into death traps. According to recent reports, Pakistan loses thousands of lives annually to road accidents, most of which are preventable.
One of the root causes is the lack of education about road safety. Many drivers are either unaware of or choose to ignore basic traffic rules. Meanwhile, pedestrians are often left to navigate unmarked crossings, broken footpaths and chaotic traffic conditions. The absence of accountability for violators only emboldens reckless behaviour.
To address this, a comprehensive road safety strategy is needed. This includes stricter enforcement of traffic laws and mandatory driving education. Investment in road infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, is equally critical. Road safety is a shared responsibility, and it is time for all stakeholders to take it seriously.
Ridhan Awan
Kech