Thrilling though this 'sport' obviously is, its practitioners, along with breaking the law, are placing their lives in incredible danger, which for them is a fun and could even result in drastic consequences for all concerned.

Think of the mind-blowing pain if something, an airborne stone, a bee or even a bird hits them in the face, maybe going straight into an eye, causing permanent blindness in the process. Also, if the car driver faces a sudden emergency and has to slam on the brakes with full force, then there is distinct danger of anyone already half way out of the roof, going flying through the air and becoming badly injured, even killed when they land with bone-crushing impact on the ground or among other traffic. If these joy riders give serious thought to the possible consequences of such daredevil actions, then surely they will realise that they are stupidly putting their lives at risk!

Having the sense to comprehend the inherent dangers of seemingly innocuous car travel is something that parents badly need to drum into their offspring from a very early age but, let's face facts, a large percentage of parents don't appear to understand the dangers themselves.

Fasten your seat belt

Take the issue of seat belts for instance seat belts are designed to prevent injury during car accidents and are an integral part of all new cars. However, so far, many such vehicles only provide them for the driver and front seat passenger and not for those sitting in the back as is the legal requirement in many other countries.

Yet, even though seat belts are there, numerous drivers try to get away with not fastening them unless they happen to be on routes where traffic police are known to patrol. These sharp-eyed law enforcers are rightly quick to fine drivers on the spot for not belting up! Some drivers get quite obstreperous with the police for performing what is, after all, their duty and a duty no less, aimed at protecting the drivers not themselves. It takes only seconds to fasten a seat belt and seconds to be badly injured by an unsecured driver/front seat passenger flying through the windscreen if the car is in a high speed collision.

Wearing a seat belt is not merely draping it over one shoulder in an effort to con the police into thinking it is fastened; however, it makes total sense even when travelling only very short distances, as, according to the insurance companies' generated statistics, short distance driving is when most collisions actually occur.

Parents of young children also often make the serious mistake of allowing them to ride, maybe two or even three of them at once, in the front passenger seat of the car, sometimes even letting them stand up and act the fool in the process which is a very dangerous pastime indeed. Obviously, they would be badly injured if an accident happens and the chances of such an unfortunate occasion are multiplied by having children up front to distract the driver and obstruct easy access to the gear lever and handbrake.

If your parents haven't taught you only to sit, calmly not leaping around, in the back seat of the car then perhaps you should educate them about this. Babies too are far safer travelling in the back, either in a carry cot or special child seat, than being held on their mother's knee up front. Laws to this effect do exist but, unfortunately, are not enforced in Pakistan as yet although they should be.

Speed kills

Driving at breakneck speed is another problem, particularly among young drivers who think that nothing will ever happen to them and also to drivers of school buses and other forms of public transport that race to get everywhere in a hurry.

Fast moving vehicles are a danger not only to their occupants but also to pedestrians, stray animals and to other vehicles on the road. Trying to reach a destination at incredible speed just to save a few minutes or so isn't worth the chance of dying for. So, if your parents, family driver, school bus driver or whoever's you happen to be travelling in, is driving at a frighteningly high speed, don't be shy of asking them to slow down... although if the driver is not a family member, a school bus driver for example, then it may be better to complain to your parents or teacher.

Road safety

All kinds of moving vehicles should be regarded as potentially lethal as, like it or not, they really are! 'Look right, look left and then right again,' is the mantra we all learn when being taught how to safely cross a road but these instructions certainly aren't foolproof as numerous drivers, some of whom have never actually passed a driving test to be frank, follow driving rules all of their own invention and their vehicles may suddenly appear from right out of the blue.

If you have to cross any road, not just busy ones, then make sure to look in each direction a number of times before trying to walk across and remember to walk, not run, as if you make a quick dash for the safety of the opposite side of the road, you are more liable to be hit by an unexpected vehicle than if you wisely take your time.

Actually, you don't even need to be crossing a road to be at risk of being hit by a moving vehicle. This can happen when you are simply walking along the side of the road on a narrow, crowded footpath and maybe just step off it for a second to go past someone or something in your way. Plus, not all roads have footpaths along the side in which case you are forced to walk on the road itself. In such cases, it is always best to walk on the side of the road where the traffic is driving towards you and not sneaking up on you from behind. At least then you can see it coming and you should know when exactly to get out of the way!

Another tip about walking by the road here children have a habit of linking arms when strolling along and, if the footpath is narrow or non-existent, then one or more of them inevitably ends up pushed out towards the traffic. It is much better to walk in single file if this happens to be the case.

Another danger point relates to leaping out of school vehicles, particularly as some of them unload in the middle of the traffic rather than at the roadside as they should. Always be extra careful when jumping out of transport as there may be fast moving vehicles approaching from a number of directions at once and the drivers of these may not have a clear view of you at all. Also, when jumping down from often overcrowded school buses, ensure that you have all of your possessions with you and that the strap of your bag, etc., doesn't get caught up on something as this might make you fall. If your school bus always stops on the other side of the road from school or your home then, if at all possible, try to arrange for a responsible adult to be there to help you safely across to the other side.

Play safe

Safe play areas are very few and far between in most areas of the city, yet children need to play. This has resulted in countless children, both boys and girls, utilising roads on which to play cricket, football, hop scotch, skipping, marbles or whatever game happens to be in vogue. The problem with this is that the children thus engaged seem to expect all traffic — big vehicles, small ones or in between — to automatically steer clear of their games area but this doesn't always happen, particularly in narrow lanes with little room to manoeuvre. In such instances, it is the children who need to quickly move aside when they see a vehicle approaching. Lingering to collect the last of your marbles, or dashing between moving vehicles while chasing a ball could cost you your life.

On two wheels

Motorcycles and bicycles are no less dangerous than cars, buses, trucks and rickshaws as these can cause serious injuries too. Families comprising two adults and four to even six children often squeeze themselves onto two-seater motorcycles and even single seat bicycles at great danger to all involved. The cost of vehicular transport may be beyond their means, but for two-wheel transport to be utilised by more persons than they are constructed to carry is an extremely dangerous mode of travelling. Aside from the danger of being in collision with another vehicle, such transport is very unstable and can overbalance at the slightest bump, more so during rain when the road surface becomes slippery.

Try to avoid overloaded two-wheel transport if you can, right to the point of staying home from what otherwise promises to be an exciting outing if you have to. Much better to be safe and in one whole piece than to be sorry with broken bones... or worse!