THE highways of Pakistan, especially in Sindh, have become dangerous to travel, with hundreds of passengers falling victim to fatal road traffic accidents over the past few months.

Road traffic safety is defined by the five Es. These are education, enforcement, engineering, environment and emergency response.

Education of drivers on traffic rules and road safety, especially the ones driving commercial vehicles is mandatory.

Their regular medical fitness, including eyesight testing, physical fitness and any history of seizures or loss of consciousness, and recreational drug addictions are all checked to ensure the safety of passengers in their vehicle.

The health and fitness of vehicles is equally necessary as many coaches, cargo trucks and other vehicles on the highways are unsafe and a hazard to themselves and others. This includes CNG tank maintenance.

There must be hefty fines on breaking speed limits as well as a system for blacklisting those drivers and their licences who commit three or more violations. In the US, this is achieved by raising the cost of insurance after every accident or traffic violation.

Engineering is extremely important when designing roads, bypasses, exits and highways with maximum attention given to passenger safety.

In Sindh, many highways are still single tracked and often overtaking causes fatal accidents.

Strict radio and television warnings regarding fog, low visibility, rain and icy conditions should be run regularly and traffic management and speed limits altered accordingly.

Finally, an emergency response system that includes the fire brigade, rescue workers, police and paramedics, should be on standby.

This requires a single universal emergency number like ‘911’ throughout the country.

Ambulances should be equipped with basic life-saving equipment and the paramedics trained in trauma care and management.

Dr Jahanzeb Effendi

Co-founder, First Response Initiative of Pakistan

Karachi

Published in Dawn January 24th , 2015

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