LAHORE: As many as 17 people died and 1,773 others injured in 1,659 traffic accidents in all 37 districts of Punjab while celebrating the Independence Day on Aug 14, showing the reckless attitude displayed by revelers on festive occasions in the province.

The provincial capital was at the top of the list, where the highest number of road accidents, resulting in injuries to the people, were reported, besides incidents of aerial firing which claimed lives of a seven-year-old girl (in Badami Bagh area) and a young man (in Shahdara Town).

The minor girl was enjoying the Independence Day celebrations, along with her parents at the Minar-i-Pakistan, where a stray bullet hit her, causing her instant death, while the young man, who was the only brother of his two sisters, also fell prey to a stray bullet.

The accident and emergency wards of the major government hospitals in Lahore witnessed an extraordinary burden of patients who suffered injuries in road accidents on Aug 14.

According to the official data compiled by the Emergency Service Department (ESD), nine people died, and 1,338 others injured in 1,234 road accidents reported all over the province on Aug 13, a day before the Independence Day.

The comparison shows that the incidences of reckless driving, speeding, criminal negligence and blatant violation of traffic laws rise considerably during the Independence Day celebrations, taking a heavy toll on the citizens.

The situation necessitates measures to avoid such casualties, on part of government as well as people.

Dangerous road accidents during Aug 14 celebrations also left several persons disabled for life as the ESD stated that 99 people suffered deep head injuries and 187 others multiple fractures.

According to the official data, out of total 1,773 injured persons, 850 landed in hospitals with serious and critical wounds, while 891 others suffered minor injuries. Those with minor injuries were provided first aid and treatment by the Rescue 1122 medical teams on the spot.

“A majority (72 per cent) of the accidents involved motorbikes, therefore, effective enforcement of traffic laws and lane discipline were essential to reduce the increasing number of road traffic crashes”, reads the ESD report.

Furthermore, the analysis showed, 833 drivers, 88 underage drivers, 211 pedestrians, and 710 passengers were among the victims of road traffic crashes.

The statistics show that 424 road accidents were reported in Lahore, affecting 462 persons, followed by 148 reported in Multan with 151 victims/injured persons and Faisalabad with 96 accidents and 91 victims.

The report shows that in the 1,773 accidents, 1,441 males and 313 females suffered injuries.

About the age group, the report stated that 415 of them were under 18 years of age, 891 between 18 and 40 years and remaining 448 were above 40 years of age.

According to the data, 1,481 motorbikes, 78 auto-rickshaws, 160 motorcars, 27 vans, 13 passenger buses, 24 trucks and 113 other types of auto vehicles and slow-moving carts were involved in these road accidents in Punjab.

Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2023