Daily Times

Road accidents are very common among developing countries like Pakistan where hundreds of people lose their precious lives on a daily basis. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, more than fifty thousand people were killed from 2004 to 2013, in different road incidents. Furthermore, it has been highlighted that on average 15 people die each day. The number of deaths show that more lives are lost due to accidents than terrorism.

Similarly, if we look at road accidents in Balochistan, thousands lose their lives each year to them. 156 fatal accidents have taken place from the year 2015 to 2017, on the Quetta to Karachi Highway. Almost, 175 people lost their lives on the spot, leaving 436 injured. This figure does not even take into account the unreported cases, which happen on a daily basis.

In recent times, the bloodiest road accident that occurred was on March 21, 2014, where two passenger buses collided with a petrol tanker, killing 35 people on the spot and injuring 30.

Furthermore, according to statistics given by the Balochistan Levies force, road accidents have become a prevalent menace in the province as 16 accidents occurred in January 2018, alone. These incidents highlight the complacency of the government, and their lax attitude in addressing the problem.

There are numerous cases of road accidents and most of them go unnoticed by the authorities. The cause varies according to the situation but in most cases the drivers are intoxicated or drugged while driving. There is also a lack of officials to keep a check on road lawlessness. The dilapidated condition of the roads adds to an increase in accidents. Moreover, Transport companies do not abide by the laws, and there is no check by the National Highway Authority to control the overloading of vehicles, which later become a danger to others.

It is observed that about 90 percent of truck drivers use hashish or other intoxicants, some even use mobiles while driving. The roads of Balochistan lack surveillance as there are no cameras to check people for over speeding or breaking other traffic laws. The National Highway authority is lax in putting up speeding signs and boards marking dangerous terrain ahead while also failing to provide safety instructions

In addition to this, Balochistan does not have a sufficient number of traffic authorities to control this issue. Despite, the high number of accidents that take place on Balochistan’s roads, emergency facilities are not available to the injured, many lives are lost before help can be provided.

People also have to acknowledge their role in aiding and abetting road accidents. Most of the time, drivers are motivated and forced to drive faster because of external pressures. Rash and reckless driving should never be encouraged, as it not only put you in harms way but other innocents as well.

It is observed that about 90 percent of truck drivers take hashish or other intoxicants, some even use mobiles while driving. The roads of Balochistan lack surveillance as there are no cameras to check people for over speeding or breaking other traffic laws. The National Highway authority is lax in putting up speeding signs and boards marking dangerous terrain ahead while also failing to provide safety instructions.

One other thing that needs to be highlighted is how people refuse to acknowledge road accidents as an issue that can be solved. Rather than people addressing it as a natural death we need to focus on the causes and their subsequent solutions.

The government should prioritise to improve road conditions in Balochistan. It should also ensure that only capable drivers are given licenses and penalise anyone who breaks the law. This needs to be done at the earliest to stop the loss of innocent lives.

The writer is MPhil Scholar at Department of Sociology, University of Karachi, and Freelance writer and Researcher. Can be reached at nadilbaloch75@gmail.com

Published in Daily Times, September 6^th 2018.