Precautionary measures: Road safety campaign launched on social media

In a vigorous campaign, conscious citizens are try to educate motorists and road users

ISLAMABAD: Social media activists have launched an extensive campaign on online platforms to sensitise people on road safety measures, passionately calling for abiding traffic rules to ensure rule of law and protection to public lives and properties.

In a vigorous campaign, conscious citizens are trying to reach every single individual to educate motorists and road users about the harms of reckless driving and violation of certain traffic laws only meant for their own safety.

A slogan of campaign reads “Traffic Ko Tameez Sikhao” (pay heed to traffic rules).

Terming the road safety education, a key challenge in human and fiscal development, a post on Facebook, shared by a citizen highlighted that most youngsters ranging from 15 to 29 years of age are passing away due to the youth’s irresponsible attitude and lack of awareness regarding traffic rules.

A message is being circulated on WhatsApp about making road safety measures and traffic rules, a compulsory part of syllabus at schools and colleges, giving a wake-up call “nothing is more important than human life, so let’s raise our voices and make collective efforts for safer roads.”

Encouraging road etiquette and safety measures, another tweet said, “No excuse is good enough — Do not use your phone while driving.”

Another tweet highlighted significance of life, questioning social media users whether Rs2,000 (cost of a helmet) is more precious than a life.

A high court advocate, Zeeshan Zafar Bajwa said that he was also going to start an awareness drive on social media, considering it a national responsibility.

He appreciated the Punjab government for tightening its noose around traffic rules violators by increasing the fine amount and showing zero tolerance.

Zeeshan also lauded the decision of Lahore High Court which banned the authorities concerned from registering a vehicle without a traffic license.

Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Furrukh Rashid said the number of social media users had crossed over half of the country’s population and social networks were the best platforms for engaging public and promoting positive behaviour on the roads.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2018.