Dangerous roads: 13,000 die every year in traffic accidents, says Motorway IG
Traffic safety awareness seminar held at UAF
FAISALABAD:
Every year, around 13,000 people die and 50,000 are injured in accidents on the country’s roads, National Highways and Motorway Police Inspector General (IG) Zulfiqar Ahmad Cheema said on Tuesday.
He was addressing a road-safety seminar at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF).
“A majority of these accidents are caused by the negligence of drivers, who are ignorant of basic traffic rules. Around 80 per cent of people involved in traffic accidents are between the ages of 14 and 30 years,” Cheema said.
“We have taken steps to reduce the loss of life in accidents at the motorway. We have been able to reduce the accidents by 40 per cent by taking protective and safety measures,” the IG said.
“There are three prerequisite for a safe journey on roads: engineering, education and enforcement,” he said.
“Due to engineering mistakes in construction of roads, some sections of roads have become death traps,” Cheema said.
He said that the motorway police had a very good repute due to their performance.
“Even federal ministers, provincial ministers, military and civilian officials and other VIPs have to pay fines for violating traffic rules,” he said.
“Education (awareness about safe-driving) and enforcement of laws are essential to curtail the increasing road accidents. If someone is wearing a seatbelt or a helmet it increases his chances of survival in a road accident by 60 to 70 per cent,” he said.
Citing the fatal accident in Paris in which Lady Diana was killed, Cheema said, only one person in the car was wearing the seatbelt and he survived.
“Speeding, using mobile phones and lane violation cause fatal accidents,” he said.
He said that motorway police teams visited truck and bus terminals to brief drivers about safety rules.
Cheema urged students to focus on education and achieve success through commitment and dedication. “You should not be disappointed by terrorism and the energy crisis. We can turn our homeland into a developed county through hard work,” he said.
UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that in Faisalabad, 1,000 people died in road accidents annually. “Awareness among public about road safety is vital for reducing traffic accidents,” he said.
“Education is a lifelong process. We need to educate our people about traffic rules. This will reduce traffic accidents and fatalities,” he said.
UAF Public Relations and Publications Principal Officer Prof Dr Jalal Arif and Lecturer Ayesha Asghar addressed the seminar.
Regional Police Officer (RPO) Muhammad Ehsan Tufail and City Traffic Officer Muhammad Masoom also attended the lecture.
A camp for issuing learning license was also established in front of the Iqbal Auditorium to facilitate students.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2014.
Every year, around 13,000 people die and 50,000 are injured in accidents on the country’s roads, National Highways and Motorway Police Inspector General (IG) Zulfiqar Ahmad Cheema said on Tuesday.
He was addressing a road-safety seminar at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF).
“A majority of these accidents are caused by the negligence of drivers, who are ignorant of basic traffic rules. Around 80 per cent of people involved in traffic accidents are between the ages of 14 and 30 years,” Cheema said.
“We have taken steps to reduce the loss of life in accidents at the motorway. We have been able to reduce the accidents by 40 per cent by taking protective and safety measures,” the IG said.
“There are three prerequisite for a safe journey on roads: engineering, education and enforcement,” he said.
“Due to engineering mistakes in construction of roads, some sections of roads have become death traps,” Cheema said.
He said that the motorway police had a very good repute due to their performance.
“Even federal ministers, provincial ministers, military and civilian officials and other VIPs have to pay fines for violating traffic rules,” he said.
“Education (awareness about safe-driving) and enforcement of laws are essential to curtail the increasing road accidents. If someone is wearing a seatbelt or a helmet it increases his chances of survival in a road accident by 60 to 70 per cent,” he said.
Citing the fatal accident in Paris in which Lady Diana was killed, Cheema said, only one person in the car was wearing the seatbelt and he survived.
“Speeding, using mobile phones and lane violation cause fatal accidents,” he said.
He said that motorway police teams visited truck and bus terminals to brief drivers about safety rules.
Cheema urged students to focus on education and achieve success through commitment and dedication. “You should not be disappointed by terrorism and the energy crisis. We can turn our homeland into a developed county through hard work,” he said.
UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that in Faisalabad, 1,000 people died in road accidents annually. “Awareness among public about road safety is vital for reducing traffic accidents,” he said.
“Education is a lifelong process. We need to educate our people about traffic rules. This will reduce traffic accidents and fatalities,” he said.
UAF Public Relations and Publications Principal Officer Prof Dr Jalal Arif and Lecturer Ayesha Asghar addressed the seminar.
Regional Police Officer (RPO) Muhammad Ehsan Tufail and City Traffic Officer Muhammad Masoom also attended the lecture.
A camp for issuing learning license was also established in front of the Iqbal Auditorium to facilitate students.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2014.