WHO is responsible for causing regular traffic jams and road blocks? It is you. This was recently revealed by an online ‘traffic violation survey 2015,’ conducted by www.pakwheels.com, the largest online car portal in Pakistan.

In Pakistan, regular traffic jams and long tailbacks have become part of urban life. However, only a few research studies have been conducted to identify the factors that cause traffic congestion and related.

According to the survey, almost 93pc of the people believe that they don’t park their vehicles appropriately and responsibly outside mosques, shopping malls, schools and other public places, showing that they least care for pedestrians, motorists and people.

More than 70pc people surveyed considered incorrect parking as one of the leading causes of persistent traffic jams in the cities, while nearly 30pc people found paying no attention to traffic lights.

In reply to a question about using CCTV cameras on roads to monitor and control traffic, about 62pc respondents voted in favour of cameras, while 38pc believe using such monitoring devices would not make any difference to the actual issue.

There is a dire need for civil society to come forward and work in cooperation with traffic authorities to make sure that traffic laws are strictly followed by everyone to avoid the resultant chaos.

Masood Khan

Karachi

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2016