Driven to disorder: a nation's jeopardy

An automobile may symbolise status, but the way it is driven reflects not just the individual but also the collective civility of a nation. Traffic patterns mirror societal behaviours and values, highlighting the state of public order or disorder within a nation.

Today, Pakistan remains a country where traffic rules are routinely flouted, safety is often disregarded, and the rights of pedestrians and other road users are consistently violated. Habitual traffic violations have become one of the more visible expressions of broader social disorder. Grim evidence of this lies in Pakistan's ranking at 75th out of 181 countries for road accident fatalities, with a staggering death rate of 13 per 100,000 people (WPR 2024).

The challenges of managing roadways date back to the invention of the wheel, which revolutionised mobility but also introduced a host societal challenge. In ancient Rome, Caesar imposed a daytime ban on the entry of carts and chariots to ease congestion in the city, except for public works. More than a millennium later, Karachi's courts attempted a similar restriction, banning heavy traffic before 11pm, but unlike Caesar's decree, compliance is regularly ignored.

The traffic ecosystem represents a unique social space where millions of individuals, shaped by distinct cultural, socio-economic and educational backgrounds, unique driving skills and behaviours, interact in real time. Whether on foot, in personal vehicles, or using public transport, these dynamic interactions manifest in daily traffic patterns.

The study of traffic patterns was postulated by psychologist Ajzen in 1985. According to his 'Theory of Planned Behavior', behaviour results from intentions shaped by an individual's ability to plan and exercise control. It emerges from complex human intentions and actions when interacting with fellow road users and surrounding infrastructure. Driving, among the most intricate daily activities, utilises around 1,500 distinct sub-skills. At any given moment, drivers must navigate terrain, scan for hazards, maintain road position, judge speed, and make decisions - all while thinking about work and life anxieties (Vanderbilt, 2008).

Traffic issues arise from both external and internal factors. External factors include road design, intersections, pedestrian pathways, and signage, among others, while internal factors encompass vehicle fitness, driver skills, and individual behaviors. Research by Sabey and Taylor (1980) suggests that 95% of accidents stem from human actions, with 65% involving a combination of external and internal factors.

Studies analysing traffic violations, accident liability, and motivational factors classify human failures into three categories: Errors, Lapses, and Violations. Reason et al. (1990) describe Errors as failures in executing planned actions, while Violations involve deliberate neglect of safe operation practices and the flouting of rules. Free et al. (1994) further categorise violations based on psychological mechanisms: Situational Violations: Resulting from mismatches between ideal and actual conditions. Routine Violations: Motivated by convenience or the desire to save time and energy. Emotional Violations: Triggered by others' driving mistakes, poor traffic flow, impatience, intolerance, uncontrolled anger, and a belief in superior driving skills, often embodying a 'Me First' mindset.

In a society where socio-political and economic opportunities, along with application of laws, are unequally distributed, norms often privilege a few while the majority are treated unfairly. This disparity develops frustration, resentment, non-cooperative behavior, and a disregard for the law, culminating in a ripple effect across all facets of daily life. Traffic disorder is often the starting point of this societal breakdown.

In Pakistan, rampant disregard for traffic rules is evident in speeding, signal violations, illegal parking, and lane indiscipline. Rickshaws, food delivery riders, and pedestrians navigate haphazardly, compounding the chaos. The situation worsens with tailgating SUVs and double-cabin trucks fitted with armed guards, projecting power and status while showing contempt for other road users.

A significant issue is the disregard for other vehicles when parking, turning corners, or making U-turns. Callous maneuvering, hypnotic cell-phone usage, and public transport stoppages disrupt traffic flow, with drivers prioritising personal progress while forcing others to avoid accidents. In congested areas, vehicles frequently create makeshift routes, disregarding others' right of way. These actions reflect broader societal disorder - the prioritisation of self-interest over collective welfare. The digital age has further eroded patience, fostering behaviors like jumping lights, excessive honking, and contraflow driving.

The persistent engagement of Pakistani drivers in irresponsible behaviors stems from repeated actions without consequences. Thorndike's Law of Effect explains this phenomenon: actions producing desirable outcomes are more likely to be repeated, while those with unpleasant consequences are avoided. The lack of consequences normalises misbehavior, turning it into a societal practice. Ironically, those who follow the rules often bear the brunt of others' violations.

Tackling this complex issue requires a multi-faceted approach. The immediate Interventions: Remove choke points in traffic flow to reduce errors and situational and emotional violations. Introduce a point system for traffic violations linked to drivers' records. Connect traffic violation databases with insurance companies to enable risk-based insurance premiums. Mandate intervention programs for repeat traffic offenders.

The medium to long term Systemic solutions: Implement periodic skill-based and judgment-improvement programs to address drivers' operational and behavioral weaknesses. Launch campaigns promoting cooperation over competition on roads. Promote civic sense and mutual respect through sustained education programs.

Past campaigns targeting traffic violations have shown limited success, such as the one recently underway in Karachi - because the root causes have never been addressed. Inequitable law enforcement reflects injustice, and corruption in traffic enforcement allows drivers to evade accountability. Transformation toward safer roads and a more orderly society requires commitment from both civil society and the state.

One starting point could be enforcing violations of rules by issuing tickets without exceptions, including government vehicles. Facilitate compliance by offering an automatic waiver of penalties if no further offenses occur within 30 days. This would remind drivers of their accountability, align behavior with Thorndike's Law of Effect, and empower traffic officers to enforce rules effectively. The reduction in corruption and increased transparency could be achieved by digitising traffic enforcement systems.

Success depends on consistent implementation and unwavering enforcement. By linking consequences directly to behavior through point systems and insurance premiums, we can create powerful incentives for change, ultimately leading to a disciplined driving culture and greater civility within Pakistan.