ISLAMABAD, Nov 27: Inspector General of Motorway Police Zulfiqar Ahmed Cheema on Wednesday said more than 1,000 people died each year in road accidents and majority of them were youth.

Addressing a Road Safety Seminar, organised by Islamabad National Highway and Motorway Police, Mr Cheema said majority of road users were uneducated about safety rules that was why journey for them became more riskier.

The IG said 80 per cent accidents were caused by negligence, rash driving, speeding, drowsiness, lane violation, use of mobile, drugs, not wearing helmet and seat belt.

He said: “Seatbelts can reduce the casualty rate by 60 to 70 per cent.” The IG said without helmet motorcyclists would not be allowed to enter Grand Trunk Road after December 1.

Mr Cheema said: “we are unaware of road sense as a nation while the absence of 3Es – engineering, education and enforcement-- and the behavior of road users too cause accidents.”

Minister for State of Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmad said that the aim of the seminar was to save the precious lives of the people. He also endorsed the policy of NH&MP for implementing road safety law.

Earlier, Neurosurgeon Dr Khaliquz Zaman addressing the seminar stated that 89 per cent deaths in road accidents were related to neurosurgery either head or spinal injuries.

President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries Shabaan Khalid said that enforcing of law made the traveling safe and smooth.

Eye Specialist Amir Asrar said that one of the major reasons of accidents was poor eyesight.

He said for drivers a periodical simple eye test should be made mandatory. Representative of World Health Organisation Dr Maryam Malick told the audience that rate of accidents was high in most underdeveloped countries and Pakistan placed at number 10.

She said that two wheelers were mostly involved in these traffic accidents.

National Highway Authority Chairman Maroof Afzal said that the NHA was maintaining 12000km roads, which bore 95 per cent burden of goods traffic. He added that NHA was making efforts to bring the roads of Pakistan on par with international standards.

Secretary Communication Arshad Bhatti also spoke on the occasion Students from different schools displayed different road safety slogans on boards. IG motorway police and officers of NH&MP awarded cash prizes and gifts among students who answered questions regarding traffic rules.