The mother’s eyes were filled with tears and her father’s heart was torn. The tragic death of a 17-year-old young son was a great tragedy for both of these personalities. The decapitated body of 17-year-old Zain shocked the audience and anyone who saw it lost consciousness.
The tragic death of 17-year-old Zain in a traffic accident in Korangi on Sunday (December 19) has raised concerns about traffic incidents. According to police officials, the death rate in traffic accidents in Karachi is many times higher than the number of civilians killed in terrorism.
The bustling streets of the megacity appear to have turned the most perilous for motorcyclists; resulting in over 720 fatal accidents in the course of the last five years. The sheer number of casualties from such incidents is far too high to not be taken as a major public health concern.
While police officials claimed that the death rate in accidents is very high, they should also admit that negligence of traffic officers is also a major factor. And parents, before blaming anyone for the deaths of their children in accidents, must also acknowledge their children mistakes.
While it may be exhilarating for some, the brazen disregard and violation of traffic rules endangers not only their own lives but also the lives of those around them. There have been campaigns to make roads as safe for travellers as possible. There have been a few improvements but clearly much more remains to be done as the number of road accidents are very high.
Enforcing preventive measures such as the wearing of seatbelts and helmets, constructing new pedestrian bridges, and ensuring working traffic signals, appropriate speed breakers and road signs, while being vigilant of corruption in the ranks of the traffic police, are just a few steps in the right direction.
We need to understand that the road is not for stunting, racing or embracing death, and riding a motorcycle is a convenience, the misuse of which can push us to the brink of death. Although death is an inescapable fact, life is also an invaluable blessing and it is not right to sacrifice this blessing for just a little mischief.
Traffic police are considered to be most responsible for accidents. Instead of controlling the traffic, the police officials seem to be busy making challans. No matter how many traffic jams there are, no one cares. There is a need for every member of society, including traffic officers, to understand the importance of their role for the country instead of living an irresponsible life.
