TAXILA: The Attock police on Friday launched a road safety awareness drive to inform people about traffic rules so accidents could be prevented.

District Police Officer (DPO) Sardar Ghias Gul Khan formally inaugurated the drive by providing helmets to motorcyclists free of cost.

On this occasion, pamphlets, information leaflets about traffic signs and traffic laws were also distributed. Speaking at the inauguration event, DPO Khan mentioned the alarming number of deaths caused by road accidents, which is approximately 1.35 million people every year.

“Ninety per cent of the accidents in Pakistan occur due to drivers’ mistake while the remaining 5 percent happen due to poor roads and vehicles,” he added.

He said it is the state’s responsibility to allocate and provide monetary and technical resources to educate motorists and other road users to ensure maximum safe travel. He said the involvement of the community will help change behaviors on the road in which the youth’s inclusion was a must as they are more attracted to road misadventures and reckless driving.

Mr Khan said that in Pakistan, thousands of people die every year in road crashes and under age motorcyclists were major contributors to them, adding that motorcyclists should use side-view mirrors and helmets to avoid fatal accidents.

He added that, therefore, it was necessary that initiatives for safety of road users were taken and a special traffic rules awareness campaign and educational programmes were launched throughout the district.

Speaking to traffic staff, the DPO said during the special week camps equipped with public address systems were being established, pamphlets and guidance booklets distributed and seminars held at schools besides holding walks for public awareness. Giving instructions about traffic rules he said that a considerable distance must be maintained between vehicles.

Incharge traffic police Fiasal Shah told journalists that during the first phase of the campaign motorcyclists driving without helmets and side mirrors or defective indicators, headlights, rear lights and speed meters would be educated while the faulty equipment would to be repaired.

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2023