The Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) marked 'World Day for Remembrance of Road Traffic Victims' all over Punjab on Sunday with a renewed pledge to upgrade road safety regime holistically on modern lines.
In this regard, an awareness walk was organized in collaboration with Transport & Road Safety Foundation for remembrance of victims of road traffic crashes from Shama Chowk to Rescue 1122 Headquarters, where a ceremony of candle lights vigil and a seminar was organized to raise awareness about increasing number of road traffic crashes and community participation for prevention of these emergencies.
DG Rescue Punjab Dr Rizwan Naseer led the walk, which was aimed at remembering the many millions killed or injured in road crashes and their families and communities, as well as to pay tribute to the dedicated emergency services, police and medical professionals who daily deal with the traumatic aftermath of road death and injury.
The ceremony was chaired by DG Rescue Punjab Dr Rizwan Naseer and participated by DG Emergency Services Academy (ESA) Brigadier Amir Hamza (retd), Registrar Academy Dr Muhammad Farhan Khalid, President Transport & Road Safety Foundation K. Z Khushhali and Chief Instructor Road Safety Asif Khawaja.
While addressing the awareness seminar, Dr Rizwan Naseer said that Chief Minister Punjab Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif has established Punjab Road Safety Authority for up-gradation of road safety regime. He said that the authority will take immediate measures with regard to driving licensing system, traffic engineering, vehicles fitness system, vehicle registration, and database and management system. He said that now enforcement agencies need to come forward for implementation of road safety laws.
"Some 3,287 people die every day globally during road traffic crashes, while 50 million people are injured annually," he said, adding "These accidents are the 9th leading cause of death." He said that Rescue 1122 is responding to average 500 road traffic accidents on daily basis, involving average 700 victims out of which 400-500 victims are seriously injured, whereas over 200-300 victims are minor injured.
Dr Rizwan Naseer said that unless proper action is taken for significant reduction of these accidents, road traffic injuries are predicted to become the 5th leading cause of death by 2030. He said that data shows 67% injuries are due to traffic crashes; bikes are involved in 82% traffic crashes whereas 82% traffic crashes victims are aging between one to 40 years.
He further stressed upon the teachers to educate students to use helmet while driving motorbikes and always ensure life safety arrangement and abide by traffic laws.
Director General ESA Brigadier Amir Hamza (retd) said that although Rescue 1122 is ready to respond swiftly on each traffic accident but we need to focus on preventive measures. He said that community participation is necessary for reduction of traffic accidents and media should also come forward for creating awareness.
K. Z Khushhali said that traffic accidents are affecting each family in Pakistan, but unfortunately media did not focus on such incidents considering them individual cases. He said that Rescue 1122 is doing a commendable job by educating the community members to sensitize them about road traffic crashes.
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