Traffic awareness in Malakand: Campaign to combat rash driving underway

SWAT: To combat hazardous driving conditions and dangerous drivers, a 15-day traffic awareness campaign ‘Safe Driving– Safer Lives” was launched in Malakand Division on Sunday. During a press conference, Deputy Inspector General Qazi Jamulur Rahman said that the count of 140 fatal and 291 non-fatal accidents that occurred during the year 2010 were three times higher than 2009, and 96 per cent of them were due to careless or reckless driving.

“The statistics of traffic accidents in Malakand Division present an awfully gloomy picture of the current state of affairs, while there has been a worrying increase over the preceding year,” He said.  “It is an alarming situation which necessitates immediate intervention to bring down the number of fatal accidents.”

Also, 146 people have died and 350 have been injured, while 96 per cent of accidents involved a single vehicle. Predominantly, speeding, rash and negligent driving are the core causes behind this, 15 per cent of non fatal accidents have taken place due to the use of cell phones while driving. Slow moving vehicles and carts have also contributed to around 10 per cent of non-fatal incidents for lack of proper reflective lighting in the rear. The study has also highlighted ‘black spots’, areas where frequent deadly accidents took place.

To control the grim situation, Qazi said that a traffic awareness campaign is going to be started, first in Swat and soon after in the whole division.

“The main thrust of the 15-day campaign will be to sensitize the public through banners, posters, and pamphlets, for which school children, media and other community members will help.”

As a gesture of goodwill, during the campaign, violations will be pointed out and warnings will be given, however no fines will be issued. “Drivers will be sensitized about their responsibilities and about the right and proper driving according to the traffic rules,” he said.

After the campaign, strict action will be taken against violators and documents will also be checked, speeding and over-loading will not be shown any leniency and a proper plan will be chalked out for Mingora City.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2011.