IT is painful to read almost daily in newspapers and listen to the TV about tragic road accidents and loss of precious lives. The lives of children and entire families are cut short for no fault of theirs.
The recent accident occurred near Multan in which more than 20 people lost their lives and an entire family perished when two buses collided is heart-breaking. The accident occurred when the buses tried to avoid a rashly driven motorcycle.
Over speeding, unlicensed drivers who lack driving skills, automobiles unfit for roads and trailers carrying cargo that obstructs the view of other drivers are main causes of accidents.
The saddest part is that the drivers of vehicles that pass the scene of a mishap do not take heed and mend their ways. There seem to be no concern about these accidents in the circles that matter.
The authorities should take appropriate measures to ensure safety on our roads and highways.
Some of these are: only licence holders be allowed to drive on the highways; the licence issuing authority must be strictly monitored; no mechanically unfit vehicle be allowed on the highways; monitoring cameras be installed on all thoroughfares; erring drivers should be taken to task; the owners of vehicles causing harm to others be forced to foot the medical bills of the injured and pay compensation to the victims.
Last but not least, the media should conduct frequent road safety campaigns.
Moin Uddin Qureshi
Lahore
(2)
NEARLY 40 people were killed in a recent accident at Ghazi Ghat where a bus owner, reportedly, offers drivers incentives for reaching the destination before the schedule. Otherwise they are abused or fired.
Roads in south Punjab are in a poor state and are hardly ever repaired.
There have been many accidents like this, but no measure has been taken. Stern action against transporters is needed, ordering them to use safe vehicles, carry the approved number of passengers, follow speed limits and employ only sober drivers. None of us can imagine the pain and agony when 15 members of a single family are killed.
South Punjab needs better roads, strict traffic rules and wardens to monitor and patrol highways.
Mubbashar Riaz
Muzaffargarh
Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2018
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