Walking for a cause: Citizens show solidarity with accident victims

Traffic police organise marathon for World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

Hundreds of men, women and children from different walks of life gathered at Sea View on Sunday evening for a marathon walk and race to show solidarity with victims of road traffic accidents.

The Karachi traffic police arranged the event to commemorate World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, which is observed on November 16 every year, with the aim of creating awareness of the benefits of traffic rules.

Led by the city's mounted police unit, the walk started from a camp set up by the traffic police near McDonalds on Sea View Road and culminated at the police checkpoint further along the road. The participants held banners and placards printed with messages about the dangers of violating traffic rules, while police personnel handed out brochures to those present.

Karachi traffic police DIG Dr Ameer Ahmad Sheikh asked drivers to avoid speeding in residential areas. "Everywhere in the world, except for in Karachi, more people lose their lives in road accidents rather than being killed with firearms," he said. "So far this year, 285 people have died in road accidents." He added that 54 per cent of those who had died were teenagers riding motorcycles, mostly without helmets.

Meanwhile, Farrukh Alam, a mechanical engineer who was left physically impaired in a highway accident 25 years ago, spoke to those present about the risks of driving carelessly. "My spinal cord was injured in that accident, and six people lost their lives," he said.

Karachi commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui also participated in the walk. "No organisation or department can run without public support and assistance," he told the participants.

The traffic police also held a marathon race for schoolchildren, with Siddiqui and Sheikh distributing the awards.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th, 2014.