Road accidents mar Eid festivities

We are deeply saddened to know from news reports that at least 30 lives have been lost in road accidents around the country during the last three days of Eid holidays. The number of injured is as high as 104 till the time of writing this editorial.

It is a matter of regret that despite the passionate road safety movement by students and the various drives conducted by the government we have not been able to make our roads any safer. Eid is one of the most joyous of occasions for people and it is a time when they go home to their villages to celebrate with loved ones. To think that such a happy occasion would be marred by such horrible tragedy is truly unfortunate and unacceptable.

Most of the accidents were due to reckless driving with head-on collisions of buses, motorcycles, buses hitting motorcycles and a private car falling into a ditch. Speeding and reckless overtaking continue to take lives and leave hundreds injured or maimed for life. This is especially so during Eid holidays. Travelling outside the country during this time has become a dangerous activity. 

But why should it be so—especially after government assurances that roads will be safer? 

Why is it so difficult to enforce speed limits on the highways?

It is high time that the authorities took serious steps to curb these tragedies—by ensuring that all vehicles pass the fitness test, that all drivers are qualified to drive and have valid licenses and most of all, that all drivers respect traffic rules and not take unnecessary risks while driving. Highways must be monitored and patrolled by police so that people may travel to their destinations without the constant fear of getting killed or maimed for doing so.