Road deaths

We take little notice of road accidents. Road safety is not a priority. But given the hundreds of deaths that occur each year, perhaps it should be one — especially when public transport vehicles are involved. Rules need to be followed, safeguards put in place. The latest tragedy occurred along the road that winds its way from Murree to Rawalpindi. Two buses, reportedly trying to take over each other, fell into a ravine killing at least 12 and leaving over 20 others seriously injured. The death toll could rise. The poor condition of both vehicles and treacherous road condition in rainy, wet conditions contributed to the tragedy and also impeded rescue efforts. In another accident involving a bus, the driver of the vehicle lost control of it while driving along Murree Road in Islamabad. Two people were killed as the bus hit a traffic island.

Such incidents occur around the year. It is appalling we do nothing to prevent them. Of course, all road accidents cannot be averted. But we can do much more to ensure the drivers of vehicles transporting people, whether run by the public sector or private companies, possess valid driving permits, are provided training and are educated about the dangers posed by slippery roads. By failing to do so, we put people at huge risk. It also appears that, at least, two of the buses were in poor shape. This, of course, adds to the risk involved. We need policies to reduce such unnecessary deaths. The limited figures available suggest Pakistan has one of the poorest road safety records in the world. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to this any longer, and must consider what we can do on an urgent basis to take unsound vehicles off the roads, ensure public transport vehicles are more safely driven and ensure action is taken against both, companies and individual drivers, when reckless action leads to people suffering fearful injury or meeting a sudden end to lives while travelling along our roads.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10^th, 2014.

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