Daily Times

If we count the number of deaths caused by Corona Virus since its outbreak, and the number of deaths by road accidents during the same period, the latter will surpass the former. The difference between the two calamities is that deaths by road accidents are treated as a routine matter, while deaths by the Virus seem alarming.

In 2019, the reported deaths by road accidents throughout the country were 36,000, averaging 3,000 per month. Since the number of vehicles and population has increased in the last two years, the number of deaths now must touch a much higher figure. Even the reported average tally of 3,000 deaths by accidents in a month all over the country should raise eyebrows. This loss of lives could be reduced by enforcing stringent traffic laws.

Some deaths are far more painful than others. For instance, burning alive in a wagon or a bus on fire because of the LPG cylinder explosion cannot be described in words. It is symptomatic of experiencing hell in this world. Recent gas cylinder explosion in a wagon near Gujranwala took the lives of nine passengers, including women and children, leaving seven others with critical burns. What typically follows such a tragedy is that the rescue teams reach the spot or the CM Punjab expresses sorrow and directs to provide best medical facilities to the injured. And that is the end of the story, since those burnt alive while traveling in overloaded wagons or buses belong to the lower segment of the society.

As it is, roads in main cities are wide and well-marked. The Punjab provincial metropolis boasts of spacious roads, underpasses and U-turns but the traffic remains unruly. Many roads are signal-free but the traffic remains snarled up. What glaringly noticeable is that even those who look educated and drive expensive cars do not care to indicate while taking turns, not to talk of the motorcyclists and wagon drivers. Most of the drivers are not even aware of the traffic rules. Anyone who can turn the key and crank up the engine considers himself a driver and takes to the road, endangering his own and others lives. Innumerable individuals who once rode bicycles now buzz like bees on motorcycles. Their progress from pedaling bikes to motorcycles is welcoming, but we are talking about following the traffic rules here.

Road traffic, in many ways, reflects upon how the provincial administration functions.

Road traffic, in many ways, reflects upon how the provincial administration functions. Chaotic traffic does not bother the roughshod drivers but the law-abiding drivers surely feel unnerved by the freewheeling motorcyclists acting like rudderless drones. And there is no concept of a fast, middle or slow lane. Inveterate cell phone users mostly drive slowly in the fast lane, forcing other drivers to overtake them from the left. The traffic police do not consider parking on road as a violation even though one needs a larger turning radius when negotiating road bends.

Despite the introduction of a uniformed digitized registration system, many choose to display their ‘who is who’ status on the number plates of their vehicles. Many lawyers display incorrect registration plates on their cars, with ‘Attorney at Law’ boldly mentioned on them. Sometimes we hear black coats thrashing traffic wardens who dare to check them for traffic violations.

However, the stats by the Motor Registration Authority suggest that about 6 million vehicles and 4 million motorcycles ply on Lahore’s roads. Therefore, a modern, scientific and strict traffic control system is urgently needed to improve the existing road conditions. A system should equally treat VIPs, IPs, and only Ps.

Maybe I mentioned this episode earlier somewhere but it is worth repeating in the present context. I once had a chat with a traffic warden to know his side of the story why the traffic remains jumbled up. He sighed and began to give his view on the condition of anonymity, as is the practice at national and international levels before revealing the so-called secrets.

He went on: “Sir, we are instructed by the high-ups not to stop large vehicles, especially those followed by vehicles carrying armed guards; not to check vehicles with green number plates; never meddle with lawyers, and lastly, do not mess with those who tend to be riotous.” We smiled and I let the warden know he could check me anytime he liked, as I was a mere ‘P’ who would quietly accept the ticket.

The writer is a Lahore-based columnist and can be reached at pinecity@gmail.com