The circus companies of Asia or of any other part of the world appoint only those who excel in their respective fields, including rope-walking and fighting with a tiger. Persons working in circus companies have to take training for a particular magic show till attaining perfection. Cool mindedness is also necessary in their job. Likewise, flying a plane, or driving a car, bus and motor cycle also needs perfection, controlling capacity, cool mindedness, presence of mind as well as the sense of law abiding. But in our country our drivers lack these essentials.
That is why accidents occur in the country, causing loss of precious human lives.
According to data collected from Bureau of Statistics and National Highway Authority four to five deaths occur per 100,000 population in Pakistan annually due to road accidents. The number of vehicles is fast increasing without provision for safe driving
According to WHO Operations Officer for Sindh, Dr Ghulam Nabi Kazi, the problem can be solved or at least largely mitigated through a wide-range of effective interventions. He was of the opinion that experience in several countries has shown that scientific traffic systems are essential in tackling the problem. Dr Kazi also said that the systems approach addresses the traffic system as a whole and looks at the interaction between vehicles, road users and the road infrastructure to identify the solutions.
A study undertaken by the psychiatrists and students associated with Psychiatry Department, Hamdard University, revealed that more than 70 percent of the drivers running public vehicles are hooked to one or the other drugs, ranging right from opium to heroin. Disregard for road safety laws and flexibility to flaunt the law on the part of drivers, including the private owners, are additional factors which are increasing the rate of road accidents in the country.
Experts warn that casualties on roads will increase if action is not taken they say that most of these accidents can be prevented through simple interventions enhancing urgency on part of all that Road Safety is a major public health issue. Orthopaedic surgeons and physicians besides doctors serving at emergency departments of major hospitals in Karachi, particularly refer to reckless attitude of the motor cyclists, zig-zagging through moving vehicles and exposing themselves as well as their pillion riders to serious conditions, particularly fatal head injuries.
Dr. Saeed Minhas (Orthopaedic Department, JPMC) mentioned of frequent instances of women pillion riders reporting with serious neck injuries as inadequate care on their part and also fast speed turn their "chadars" or "dopattas" reeled into the coil of motor bike wheel.
While suggesting strict criterion for all those seeking driving licences (public transport or otherwise), the surgeon also underscored the need to promote adequate traffic sense among both the drivers and pedestrians.
A senior citizen of Karachi agreeing with the surgeon, referred to the plight of the pedestrians compelled to walk on road sides in the absence of pavements and foot paths. The fact, that at places where these are constructed, are largely encroached upon by the roadside hawkers. Indiscriminate application of mobile phones by educated or uneducated, holding the cell, can be witnessed while driving car or motor-bike even during peak rush hours.
The trend was cited to be an additional factor making driving all the more dangerous and also reflective of poor consideration towards one's own as well as others lives despite repeated warnings. Ironically, a major condition and a legal requirement for thorough medical check-up for drivers seeking commercial licences is observed to be largely ignored. Neurologists told newsmen of a few instances when drivers, with proper licences, were brought to them following frequent bouts of accidents.
Prof. Hasan Aziz and Dr. Wasim Akhter (Neurology Department, JPMC) mentioned "On sheer basis of suspicion and after necessary examination some of drivers were found to be epileptic. Interestingly, it were the close relatives of these drivers, who getting an inkling about epilepsy compelled the latter to visit the doctors at camps in different parts of the city.
Need for enforcement of road safety rules such as speed limits, rules against driving under the influence of alcohol or different illicit drugs, stringent criterion for individuals seeking driving as a profession besides for the licence issuance and renewal procedures are inevitable to prevent the loss of precious lives by fatal road mishaps.
The fact is to be duly realised that while motorised travel provides many benefits, it can also do serious harm unless safety is made a priority. Pedestrians and cyclists using roads are particularly at risk, crashes are frequent and deaths and injuries very common. If the current trend continues, traffic accidents are feared to rise. It is not an alarming situation for the government only but also for the concerned department and general public.