At least 198 die in Balochistan highway accidents in a year

Quetta-Karachi and Quetta-Zhob highways prove to be deadliest for commuters

ISLAMABAD/ HUB:

At least 198 people have died in road accidents on the highways of Balochistan during the past one year.

Majority of these accidents took place at the Quetta-Karachi and Quetta-Zhob highways.

According to sources within the Medical Emergency and Response Centers (MERC), the medics responded to 9,249 accidents along the highways and treated approximately 11,706 injured people at the 14 emergency centers recently established by the Balochistan government at N-50 and N-25 highways.

The highest number of deaths recorded in one accident was 28 that occurred at the Lakpass.

It is pertinent to mention that the incumbent Balochistan government has allotted Rs3 billion to construct more emergency response centers along every highway in the province.

Sources familiar with the matter said two ambulances and fire brigade vehicles will be available at the emergency centers whereas more basic health units will also be established near the highways.

The BAP-led government is also ensuring round the clock availability of medical officers, surgeons and trained paramedical staff at every Medical Emergency and Response Center to save human lives in case of deadly accidents on the national highways.

MERCs would be connected with district hospitals to deal with emergency situations and for administrative purpose.

The government had also been working to expand the main roads to control accidents in the province.

DIG Motorway Police relays causes of accidents

On the other hand, Balochistan DIG Motorway Police Ali Sher Jhakrani has said that 67 per cent of deaths in accidents are due to improper driving of motorcycles and ignorance of road safety rules.

While addressing a road safety training programme organised by the police, he said that awareness of road safety and traffic rules has always been the first priority of the Motorway Police to protect the lives and property of road commuters.

“Road safety is the responsibility of every citizen and thus all sections of society collectively control accidents.

It is imperative for motorcylists to cover their face and head with a helmet,” he said. “A small injury to the head can kill a person and wearing a helmet protects your head and eyes in any accident.”

An awareness walk was also organised by the Motorway Police. Parents have been urged to abide by the road safety rules and also urge their children and relatives to do so.

A large number of people from different walks of life attended the function.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28^th, 2021.