Minor rescued from perilous road stunt

A minor boy narrowly escaped a 'stunt-oriented' road mishap on Srinagar Highway between G-9 and G-10 on Thursday. The child, approximately five or six years old, was seen hanging dangerously out of a Baleno car window. Only his legs remained inside the vehicle while the rest of his body was outside.

An eyewitness, a mother named Amna, reported that the boy lost his balance and nearly fell onto the road. A quick-thinking passenger grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him back inside. The car slowed down, pulled over to the roadside, and the driver helped the boy to stand safely. Fortunately, the child was unharmed.

An official from Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) said that such recklessness constitutes a criminal offence under Pakistani law. He noted that such acts could be prosecuted under Sections 279 (rash driving), 189 (negligent conduct), 337-G (endangering life), and 427 (causing damage) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

The official further remarked that during occasions such as Independence Day, Eid, and other festivals, it is common for people to allow children to hang out of car windows or sit on rooftops while celebrating. "These stunts can easily turn joy into tragedy," he warned. He also highlighted the frequent practice of drivers holding babies on their laps, which is equally dangerous and strongly discouraged.

Medical professionals have echoed the concern. "Even a minor accident can be fatal for children without seatbelts. A car seat or restraint is not a luxury; it is a lifeline," said Dr Rehmana Waris, a paediatric specialist at PIMS.

Earlier this year, the ITP registered a case against a woman under the same laws after she drove carelessly into a traffic officer at a toll plaza, illustrating how perilous road negligence could be.