There is not a single day that we don’t read news in newspapers of road accidents causing death of precious lives across Pakistan. The fact is not denying that thousands have been died in road accidents. The figures are eye opener, according to statistic 60 to 70 thousand die in Pakistan in road accidents.
According to a recent survey by an automotive interest group, 24 per cent of people across Pakistan drive without a driving licence. Size of the survey is large over 11 thousand were part of it; it shows almost one fourth people on the roads are operating vehicle without being licensed to do so. While the Provincial Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1965 mandates that every vehicle on the road be insured, only 25 per cent of vehicle owners respect that law.
It is alarmingly high percentage of the people driving on roads without licence and obviously posing threats not only to their lives but also to others. Ration of increased number of accidents in Pakistan speaks volumes of the fact that we are a nation in dire need of addressing the issue. Focusing on the human side of the governance and implementation of the existing laws is sadly lacking in Pakistan for decades.
There is also norm not to abide by the traffic rules as we witness quite often violation of traffic rules. The police in Pakistan more concerned in minting money rather than to enforce public safety measures and to enforce implementation of traffic rules. Parliament should also take necessary measures to address the issue and media should play more vital role to sensitize the awareness of the issue.
We have generally utter disregard for traffic laws and lack of concern for human safety.