Reforming Pakistan’s Traffic Problems: Enforcing Laws

Reforming Pakistan’s Traffic Problems: Enforcing Laws

There is a popular saying that in order to check a nation, observe the situation of their roads and by looking at Pakistan’s traffic, it is hard to say that we are a civilised nation living in the 21^st century.

I do not think that anyone would disagree with the fact that the situation of our roads, not in terms of how much traffic there is or even the condition of the roads, just by seeing how we the people as drivers act on the streets, that we are some of the worst in the world when it comes to discipline and decency.

Traffic signals are meant to be broken, wearing seatbelts is hectic and if someone needs to get somewhere in a hurry, they do not think twice about wrecking havoc by speeding and cutting other cars in order to move ahead.

First of all, there is no defined speed limit on the roads, and even if there is, there is no enforcement. Same goes with seatbelts, which are provided in every car in order to ensure safety of the driver and passengers and overloading is another problem.

Motorcycles have a whole other world of issues which create problems not only for themselves but for car owners as well. Helmets are not worn, creating a huge safety risk and driving in the designated lane is something most people do not even consider doing.

The only way to ensure reform throughout our streets is to enforce the laws after educating the nation about them. The newly introduced traffic police, especially in Lahore, has reformed the way people drive but that too is limited due to the lack of enforcement.

Just like in developed countries, drivers whether of cars or motorcycles, cycles, rickshaws and even donkey carts must be fined when committing a felony like changing lanes without using an indicator, not wearing a helmet, over speeding  and not using designated lanes.

Such enforcement must also take place within neighbourhoods to eliminate the issues and create awareness and fear in the people, which will ultimately make them think twice before driving in an unacceptable manner.

The situation of the roads in Islamabad is by far the best throughout Pakistan and only for one single reason, the unconditional and indiscriminate nature of enforcement by the traffic police. People in the nation’s capital are hardly ever seen breaking traffic laws, which in the end allows for the smooth flow of traffic throughout the city, but as soon as the same drivers enter other cities, all hell breaks loose and it is every man for himself.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=1301

Posted by Syed Hassan Bokhari on Oct 25 2011. Filed under Editorial, Opinion, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry