Cat’s eyes take bite out of cars

Highway department has installed large metal reflectors at several points on Shahi Road

RAHIM YAR KHAN: The highway department has installed large metal reflectors (cat’s eyes) at several points on Shahi Road, which passes through four tehsils in Rahim Yar Khan District, perturbing motorcyclists and drivers alike.



Officials told Express News that Shahi Road, which originates from Chini Goth and continues into Rahim Yar Khan District, stretches for 150 kilometres covering Liaquatpur, Khanpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Chowk Bahadur. However, large metal reflectors have been installed at various locations along the road.

The department and administration call it a useful tool for preventing road accidents and implementing traffic laws. But these studs have been installed on turns and on straight stretches of the road.

Officials revealed that these reflectors have been installed at a cost of millions of rupees. The administration has decided to use these studs to reduce the speed of vehicles, including coaches and buses but they have failed to deliver the desired output.  In fact, the obnoxiously large reflectors have instead damaged vehicles. Several commuters told Express News that studs have damaged their vehicles and tires. In a recent incident, the front axle of a rickshaw was damaged when it hit the metal reflectors installed in a street in the city.

Meanwhile, the installation of these superfluous studs at various locations has also resulted in an increase in the incidents of tires bursting and the suspension of small cars being damaged.

According to the laws of the highway department, large metal reflectors cannot be used as speed breakers on such roads.

These reflectors have been banned in other countries but are still being used in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, people have demanded the district administration remove these obstacles from unnecessary spots and take strict action against speeding public transport vehicles.



Commuters, however, have demanded that the administration create more public awareness and create road sense to control unruly traffic rather than resorting to such means which damage their property.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6^th, 2018.