More road accidents occur due to the negligence of drivers and unimproved thoroughfares of Karachi than by unfit vehicles. Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Traffic Javed Ali Mahar said this while addressing a road safety awareness seminar and a walk at Karachi University (KU) on Thursday.
He said three major factors contributing to road accidents were human errors, poor infrastructure and deteriorating conditions of the roads. The number of accidents could be reduced by improving road designs. “Engineers should keep all road safety aspects in mind while planning and constructing roads to reduce accidents.”
The DIG advised the students to follow traffic rules and regulations and also encourage others. He also acknowledged the contribution and efforts of Dr Salman Zubair, assistant professor, Department of Geography, KU, for arranging the seminar to educate youngsters about traffic-related issues.
Umer Tafazzul, senior patrol officer, Mobile Education Unit, said that ignorance of traffic laws was also one of the major reasons of accidents. “A number of human lives can be saved if citizens start following traffic laws. Every person should give way to ambulances and fire tenders as these vehicles are supposed to reach their destinations on time.”
Dr Zubair, who is also a road safety ambassador for the universities, said that unfortunately, Pakistan was one of those countries which had witnessed a sharp rise in road accidents.