Electronic Research Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Vol 1: Issue IV

www.eresearchjournal.com Oct - Dec 2019

“Road Sense for Road Safety” – Common Responsibility

by

Asif Khawaja
Road Safety Trainer, Rescue 1122, Lahore, Pakistan
Email: smile.prp@gmail.com

Introduction:

The phrase “Road Sense for Road Safety” was heard for the first time by me during the
trainings being conducted for the initial batches of Pakistan Motorway Polices by Captain (PIA)
Amjad H Faizi. He also often expressed his concerns on the subject of Right of Way not included
in our Highway Code Book. Later during promotion of concept “Tarbiaat Gah Pakistan”1 this
subject was often deliberated in detail and are covered in his last book:

“Jab Badloon Ga Mein .. Tabb ..Sirf Tabb … Badley ga Pakistan”2

Later me and my team too experienced the missing links of Right of Way and Road Sense
while working with Capital Traffic Police, Rescue 1122, other road related departments and Road
Users in General. Reasons may be many but the fact is that concentrated efforts are needed by all
stake holders to work under a common Vision and Goal to SAVE LIFEs on our roads and around.
Only then we will be able to meet the strategic goals of WHO & UN towards making a safer
Pakistan.

Background:
As per available facts and figures annual deaths due Road Traffic Accidents are over
20,000 with four times this number critically injured From the data available through Rescue1122
of Punjab it is learnt that:

1. Road Crashes (Accidents) are happening in less than every 2 minutes

2. NO proper driving training institute is available
3. Only every fourth (may be 5th) driver or rider is a license holder
4. Most of the drivers are NOT holding correct license (for the type of vehicle they
are driving)
5. Neither all accidents are being reported nor any system of analyzing the reason of
crashes exists

Country wide situation assessed on the base of these fact & figures is more than alarming
and requires immediate measures to achieve the targets agreed under “UN Global Road Safety
Performance Targets – 2030”. Government of Pakistan recently launched its “National Road

1
Pakistan – Training home
2
Urdu language phrase meaning “When I will change…..then ……only then…….will Pakistan change.”

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Electronic Research Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Vol 1: Issue IV
www.eresearchjournal.com Oct - Dec 2019

Safety Strategy” and following evidence based recommended priority steps to improve road
safety were adopted:

1. Reduce the Maximum Speed of Motorcycles to 50 km/hr

2. Dedicated Motorcycle Lanes
3. Standardize User Friendly Helmet & Ensure Enforcement
4. Provision of Safe, Economical, dignified light public transport
5. Implementation of Standardized Driver Licensing Program

Together We Can:

Time has come where every stakeholder of this field MUST play his role towards a single
mission of saving lives on our roads with a vision of “Making Pakistan a Safe Country to Live,
Travel & Work”. Every parent especially mothers, every Teacher especially primary school
teacher, every member of Law Enforcing Agencies especially Traffic Police and the community
elders must get together for the common cause of reducing deaths in Road Crashes. It’s achievable
and just needs dedication with continuous monitoring of state of our roads, emergency and health
services.
S M I L E with countrywide experience of this field of over past two decades and having
worked with most of the stake holders suggests:
1. Reconstruction of foot paths with adequate safety measures and signage
2. Giving a new life to ZEBRA and other road crossings at all schools, institutes,
commercial areas and at public places
3. Converting large commercial areas as “No Vehicle Zones” with sufficient parking
areas nearby and environment friendly slow speed vehicles for transporting
passengers between parking and shopping centers.
4. Establishing Proper “Schools of Motoring” and linking them with the licensing
system ensuring:
i. ONE CNIC – One License (same pattern – countrywide)
ii. Complying with experience and age for all types
iii. Implementing Repeat Clause and Point System for cancellation of licenses
iv. Providing 24/7 facility to all candidates for licenses
v. Ensuring awareness training before getting “Learner” and at every renewal
vi. Community level system for Emergency Management and having trained
teams with suitable equipment to be the First Responders and activating
volunteer force for Civil Defense, Rescue 1122, community work and city
administration
Way Forward:

The task may appear to be very big but for sure through dedicated stake holders with clear
vision of “Road Sense for Road Safety” achievable targets and goals at all levels can bring to a
safer state in matter of just years.
For Example:

1. For next five years (2020 – 25) in every tehsil annual development to include:

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Electronic Research Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Vol 1: Issue IV
www.eresearchjournal.com Oct - Dec 2019

a. Five (5) or more Zebra crossings, one motorcycle lane, few km of foot paths
with safety signage and commercial zone traffic (and Emergency) plans.
b. Training 5% of youth (both M/F) to be first responders and caring citizens.
c. System of reporting and rectifying “Danger Spots” in their area
d. Reducing number of Non-License holder drivers & riders through
community participation and provision of registered school of motoring
(driving school)
e. Starting lectures and demos at school level on safety related subjects.
f. At every school, institute, commercial area, large building and at Mohalla
level availability of a trained dedicated Safety Officer

2. Similarly at District level it may include provision of pedestrian crossing on main

roads, providing alternate safe system to replace rail road level crossings, an
institute for training of driving instructors and a system of record keeping of all
incidents and accidents with facilities for its data analysis for setting reduction
targets.

3. At Divisional level (and provincial) works of emergency trainings of citizen,

community management for major accidents or events, proper licensing system and
monitoring of works at tehsil & district level may be considered

All it needs is a vision, will, community involvement, setting of milestones and

monitoring progress at all levels. Agreeing to the purpose and joining hands to “Prevent Road
Traffic Crashes” for ensuring Safer Roads through Road Sense for Road Safety.
In just ten years together we can make our homeland a safe country to live, travel and work
as a trained safety conscious nation through parents and teacher preparing generation next.

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