Women pillion riders
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BY any stretch of the imagination, riding a two-wheeler in the free-for-all that is Karachi’s chaotic traffic is to play Russian roulette with one’s life.
The gamble becomes far more risky if one does so without protective headgear. Thus, the announcement by Karachi traffic police that helmets are now mandatory for all motorcycle riders, including women riding pillion, was long overdue. However, it seems safety regulations that should apply across the board can, instead, be gender-specific.
After a public outcry greeted the eminently sensible decision, women have been declared exempt from the rule.
In the absence of an organised and family-friendly mass transit system, one frequently comes across multiple individuals perched precariously on one motorcycle — not to mention all manner of bulky, inanimate objects as well.
Until the government addresses this yawning gap in civic amenities, it is perhaps unreasonable to suggest that the practice of ferrying entire families on motorcycles be discontinued. However, it is certainly possible to make this mode of transport safer.
According to data by the Road Traffic Injury Research and Prevention Centre at Karachi’s Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, those using two-wheelers for conveyance constitute the largest group of road casualties at over 60pc, with pedestrians coming in second.
Motorcyclists and pillion riders are, needless to say, particularly at risk of head injuries. A comprehensive study in India illustrated that the mortality rate is six times higher among motorcyclists without protective headgear.
Moreover, the study also found that the mortality rate among pillion riders was marginally higher than riders without helmets. It is conceivable that women in Pakistan who tend to ride side-saddle are more at risk even in the case of mild collisions.
Given these realities, it should be compulsory not only for women but also children on motorcycles to wear helmets, protests against this notwithstanding.
However, to glide more smoothly over the ‘cultural’ speed bump, it may be worthwhile to have a media campaign highlighting the importance of wearing helmets, regardless of gender.
Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2015
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Comments (29) Closed
Jun 11, 2015 02:24am
Helmets are of several types.The ones which motor cyclists wear in Pakistan are good ones,however,there are certainly some security issues which might force our security officials to amend the Helmet regulations. These helmets cover the face and can be a misused by criminals or target killers to hide there identity.Similarly,CCTV cameras installed in various points of the largest city wouldn't be able to identify those who are involved in the criminal activities.Therefore, Only such helmets should be allowed which can protect the motor cyclists head area.
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Jun 11, 2015 05:12am
This strange custom of females sitting on a motorbike as depicted in this picture is beyond scary. Since most Pakistani females wear shalwar, they should sit properly on these motorbikes - especially since this "pillion" style is irrationally dangerous and extremely unsafe when the rear passenger is at a severe balancing disadvantage. This safety issue is compounded even more so when babies and children are being held as in this picture.
The best solution to this grave safety issue with motorbikes is for the govt. of Pakistan to heavily subsidize small domestic cars for such families who can't afford them due to low income levels which is why these poor families have no choice in riding this way and risking the lives of their children.
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Jun 11, 2015 11:39am
Traffic rules are violated with impunity in Karachi, the traffic police a helpless onlooker in most of the cases. The increasing casualty figure is no surprise. For every good move that the traffic police initiates - which is rare indeed - there is a hue and cry from the public to thwart such effort. Mandatory donning of helmets for motorcyclists as well as pillion riders was one such move. However, the public pressure has resulted in obtaining exemption for female pillion riders from wearing helmets. This is really absurd. There are times when the administration should put its foot down and say no. This is one such instance. The exemption tantamounts to saying that the life of a female on the bike is worthless. Please ponder over this aspect.
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Jun 11, 2015 03:33pm
@AYZA
This would be asking for the moon. The government would do well if it subsidizes the helmet before making it mandatory for all bike users, including pillion riders - whether male or female - to wear it without fail.
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Jun 11, 2015 05:36pm
The answer really is to have better public transport. i.e. buses. It is indeed shameful that Pakistan cannot give its citizens, clean drinking water, education, security, health facility or even transport. After 67 years of independence, what have we done really, for our public, the answer has to be very very little. Compare Pakistan and other countries of the region and realize how backward we really are.
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Jun 11, 2015 05:58pm
Just wear the Helmet. It's for your own safety.
How hard can it be?
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Jun 11, 2015 06:53pm
Minimum basic helmet should be mandatory for all bikers. Women already sit in Pakistan half safe manner anyway and they need more safety unless they dont care about their life. We dont care about kids? either they shouldnt be allowed on bikes or they should also wear basic form of helmets, it will safeguard head injuries in case of any accident.
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Jun 11, 2015 07:04pm
Look at that picture ... anyone think that is safe? Anyone think those children should be on that motorbike helmet or no? Children in the West aren't allowed to ride simple bicycles without helmets and there is no way they would allow 4 people to squeeze onto a motorbike that is designed for one or two.
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Jun 11, 2015 07:37pm
The caption obviously missed out on the safety of the children (Penny wise Pound f+*&!@h). Since it may be ideal but not practical to provide cars to all immediately it may be worthwhile the Motorist are extra careful while driving in close proximity of pedestrians and bikes. Using Jungla Bus would be another wayout.
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Jun 11, 2015 07:38pm
Do not compare yourself with West. We will never reach to there level. Even our good friend China will never reach to this level. Chinese do not stop even at stop sign.
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Jun 11, 2015 07:38pm
If you don't get killed by random shootings around the city, then you risk your life riding without a helmet.
If you manage to survive, your life is at risk just breathing heavily polluted air, thick with lead, carbon monoxide and dust!
If yet you get to make it to your home at the end of the day, than the dirty water, contaminated food, unhealthy cookings and spoiled meat will surely do the job.
Still living? Try crossing any major street on foot! That crazy driver, without headlights, or breaks may be the last straw for a poor soul in Karachi!
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Jun 11, 2015 07:51pm
Stupidity Kills.
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Jun 11, 2015 08:26pm
Interesting...The picture represents Pakistan and its rulers. The Head of the Family (Leaders) quite happy, secure and flourishing, quite aware(intentionally) of the fact that his Family (THE AWAAM) is in miserable condition and out there in the open totally insecure. The AWAAM, still love their leaders and will vote them into power time and again oblivious to the fact,that the outcome will never change...reminds me of what Einstein once said.
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Jun 11, 2015 08:30pm
Helmets as well as bullet proof jackets should be mandatory in karachi.
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Jun 11, 2015 09:00pm
@AYZA : A motor bike costs Rs. 50,000 or thereabout. The smallest car available, which is Mehran, costs more than 500,000. So you are talking about a 90% subsidy. And where will these new cars run. There is no space on the roads. So probably you need another few hundred billion rupees to build roads for these new cars. I think that we should keep our expectations realistic.
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Jun 11, 2015 09:01pm
@Muhammad : The AWAM is not the family. If they were, they would not be in such a situation.
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Jun 11, 2015 09:20pm
Stop one way trafficking and jumping traffic signals in Karachi First. More risky than not wearing helmets.
It looks like traffic rules don't apply to karachiites at all. There should be some way out to make people understand that traffic lights and following rules is for their own safety.
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Jun 11, 2015 09:24pm
It all boils down to one thing: Lack of Education!
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Jun 11, 2015 09:38pm
@AYZA there is a problem in subsidizing cars to the poor
-practically impossible..like giving cake to the poor if they don't have bread.
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Jun 11, 2015 09:48pm
@Just Someone
I agree with you but I guess you missed the point. However the picture is a reality and the Father,although totally unintentionally, is doing exactly what you think that a person would not do to his family.
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Jun 11, 2015 10:06pm
Hmmm.... fair enough.. BUT (as the picture clearly shows) -- what about children/toddlers...? There in lies the whole conundrum. A fact of life in probably ALL poorer/third-world countries.
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Jun 11, 2015 10:39pm
@Mir Sohail Bangulzai Criminals can use helmets even if the government put no regulations about it.
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Jun 11, 2015 11:23pm
This image is reflective of the criminal negligence on both the government and the motorcyclists. See how dangerous it is to carry young children on dangerous two wheeler vehicle. There are so many innocent children who lost their lives in terrible accidents. But no one is ready to pay heed on this situation.
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Jun 11, 2015 11:29pm
It seems Pakistani society is rigid society, highly arrogant over their ignorance and lack of basic knowledge, practice self created narrow minded approach in their daily living and resistant to learn, improve and bring positive change. Perhaps they don't want to learn about highly morbid or fatal brain injuries during motor vehicle accidents. Some people do not learn until they go through serious mishaps in their lives and then blame fate and others for that. Pakistanis are just reactive rather proactive.
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Jun 11, 2015 11:37pm
Media should cover fatal brain injury cases of motor vehicle accidents secondary to avoidance of helmets rather collecting interviews of those who are rejecting this decision.
Children should be also bound to wear appropriate size and shape helmets along with women and men and their faces should be visible so identity issues are not compromised and criminals will not take undue benefit of using helmets for crimes. Children should be given safety education in school about mandatory need of helmets while sitting or driving motor bike, bicycle, cycle or car. Helmets should be mandatory for bicycle riders as well.
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Jun 12, 2015 12:03am
@pervaiz iqbal
You're point is well taken, so why not have the govt. incentivize mechanical/auto engineering students in a competition to design a car which is low in cost and can serve the needs of low-income Pakistani families? This has been done numerous times with great success in some developing countries. Pakistan certainly has the talent- in fact dawn.com recently posted an article about a young female artist who did just that!
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Jun 12, 2015 01:29am
Poor transport system spurs the usage of two-wheeler in Karachi, people risks their lives by pillion riding for timely getting to their workplaces. The government should devise an effective mass transport system under public- private partnership and corporate umbrella which will substantially decreases bike usage and results in saving lives, decline in pollution, employment opportunities and lot more economic benefits for the country.
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Jun 12, 2015 01:55am
In case of serious crash...The most important person who will survive is the....MAN... Even in Pakistani weddings..MEN are served first.
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Jun 12, 2015 01:56am
The pic sh0ws how much he values his wife. She is expendable.
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