KARACHI:
The increase in road accidents, mainly happening due to reckless driving, has assumed alarming proportions. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), almost 27,000 people die every year in road accidents in Pakistan. This means about 74 people die daily. Experts say that 92% of accidents happen due to human error, especially speeding and reckless driving.
Recently, four children died in Neelum Valley in Azad Kashmir, 12 travellers died in Khuzdar town in Balochistan and 10 died in Rajanpur, Punjab, due to rash driving. Drivers of big buses tend to race with each other on highways, drive long hours without rest and use poorly maintained vehicles. There is almost no police presence on national highways, and laws are very weak.
Road accidents also cause a huge economic loss to the country, about 3% of GDP, according to estimates. Moreover, 41% of the victims are pedestrians, who have no safe footpaths or crossings.
Despite the National Road Safety Strategy (2018–2030), no real improvement has been seen. The relevant authorities must impose strict penalties on bus operators with poor safety records, install speed cameras on highways and GPS trackers in buses, ensure proper rest for drivers and provide maximum compensation to the victims’ families.
The authorities must take immediate action to save precious lives.
Mansha
Turbat
