Rising accidents prompt road safety measures

As many as 16,525 individuals fell victim to road accidents, resulting in 164 deaths

RAWALPINDI:

As the year 2023 unfolded, the figures for road accidents painted a stark reality with 16,429 reported accidents in the in the Rawalpindi district.

Urging the citizens to strictly follow the traffic rules as adherence to safety laws could avoid road, mishaps, the Rescue-1122 executed timely rescue operations for all victims, providing instrumental in preserving lives.

Rescue sources said, as many as 16,525 individuals fell victim to the road accidents with 164 lives lost, 8,040 grappling with severe injuries, and 8,321 enduring slight injuries during the tumultuous traffic incidents of the previous year.

According to a spokesperson for Rescue-1122, the service stood steadfast, maintaining its commendable average response time, and consistently reaching accident scenes promptly. The majority of these incidents involved car and motorcycle riders, a pattern that revealed the vulnerability of these commuters on the bustling roads, he said. “The main causes of the accidents include speeding, careless driving, one-wheeling, wrong turning, tire bursts, and others,” he added.

Read  72% road crashes involve motorbikes

The spokesperson disclosed that most of the victims of the accidents were between the ages of 21 and 40. Rescue Service Rawalpindi was also trying to reduce road traffic accidents, and awareness and training programmes in schools, colleges, and other programs are ongoing to reduce traffic accidents, he said.

Meanwhile, a police spokesperson said the Rawalpindi district police, under an effective operation against underage drivers, were taking action in accordance with the law, and 66 cases were registered in a single day. He said a total of 5,622 FIRs were registered under the special campaign launched against underage drivers, while 66 cases were registered during the last 24 hours.

The police were also conducting awareness campaigns in schools and colleges to educate the students about the legal age requirements for obtaining a driving license, he said.

With additional input from APP

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2024.