Developing countries have a high rate of road crashes as compared to the developed world – mainly due to differences in priorities.
According to the World Health Organization (2018) low-income countries account for only 1% of the total vehicles whereas 40% vehicles run on the roads of high-income countries. However, low-income countries are responsible for 13% of the total road deaths around the world whereas, 7% road deaths occur in high income countries.
It is expected that this death toll will continue in the future and by 2020 deaths caused by road accidents in low- and middle-income countries are anticipated to increase to approximately 80% and decrease by nearly 30% in developed countries. Notably, the Asia-Pacific region is the most affected region from road accidents where nearly 44% of total world deaths occur due to road accidents with the surprising fact that only 16% of the world's total vehicles are found there.
Pakistan is not exception from this problem of the over motorization and road safety nexus. Vehicles are not proportionate to the population, but road crashes and death toll remain very high in the country. It has about 18 million vehicles ranging from two to multi wheeled vehicles in 2018. The volume of vehicles will double by 2030. Increasing motorization on the road has increased the risks for the whole population. Pakistani youth are especially vulnerable victims of road crashes.
WHO reported that 27,582 people died due to road accidents in Pakistan making it one of the leading causes of death. In every minute there is a road accident and young people are reported to be victims as well as perpetrators. National newspapers and electronic media show horrible pictures of the scene after road crashes and people feel only pity - but neither the state nor society takes it seriously. It is considered a mater of fate and destiny. No one believes that this issue is man-made and it can be controlled with intelligent policy and good governance.
Young males, who might otherwise be assets to their family and society, play into the problem due to their behaviour. It is common to see them go out of control during any national event or holiday. One can check the inventory of any hospital of the country during national events and can count hundreds of fatal accidents and deaths. Ambulances may be seen following a very busy routine to collect and save the lives of the victims of these road accidents.
It is responsibility of the state institutions to manage and educate the youth when it comes to the road. A centralized licensing system is essential to educate young boys and girls about road safety rules and regulations. It must be clear that vehicles are not for fun or thrill, but they are for utility.
It is also the responsibility of the Government to introduce a heavy fine policy in order to control drivers without license and underage children. Serious and effective legislation is needed to revise and introduce heavy fines. The legislation is also essential to ban children from driving. So far, the country does not have child restraint legislation on driving.
Above all, road safety must be added to the national curriculum in schools and colleges. Young minds must learn in early age about the road safety signs and rules.
High-income countries gave top priority to road safety which is not seen as important in low-income countries. Roads must be secured in order to ensure a better future for the nation.
The writer is Chairman, Department of Sociology at Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad. He can be reached: zaman@qau.edu.pk