LAHORE: In a significant move to curb the rising tide of road fatalities, the Lahore Traffic Police and Rescue 1122 held a joint review meeting here on Thursday under the chairmanship of Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi.
The high-level discussion, attended by District Emergency Officer Dr. Rizwan and various divisional officers, focused on a comprehensive strategy to safeguard citizen lives and property while addressing the root causes of traffic collisions.
The meeting served as a critical platform to dissect the anatomy of recent accidents, with officials pinpointing specific “accident hotspots” across the metropolis.
While Rescue 1122 officers attributed the majority of incidents to behavioral violations such as overspeeding, one-way driving, and lane-line breaches, divisional traffic officers presented a contrasting yet complementary view. They argued that infrastructural deficits, including unnecessary road cuts, the absence of dedicated service roads, and broader road engineering problems, significantly contribute to the chaotic traffic environment.
CTO Shirazi provided a grim yet statistically nuanced update on the year’s road safety record. He revealed that 113 lives have been lost in traffic accidents in Lahore so far this year, with motorcyclists constituting the most vulnerable demographic.
However, he noted a positive trend, stating that a 12 percent decrease has been recorded in fatal accidents compared to the previous year. This reduction was largely credited to the strict enforcement of a zero-tolerance policy regarding helmet usage, which Rescue officers confirmed has led to a marked decline in severe head injuries.
To further institutionalize these safety measures, the CTO announced the formation of a dedicated “Accident Analysis Unit.” This new body will be tasked with conducting in-depth forensic examinations of every accident to determine specific causes and formulate preventative solutions, aiming to break the cycle of recurrence.
Emphasizing the human element in road safety, Shirazi stressed that approximately 80 percent of accidents stem from driver negligence and carelessness. He concluded that while engineering improvements are necessary, the most effective path to reducing fatalities lies in the strict implementation of traffic rules and sustained public awareness campaigns.
