The dreadful accident in Bahawalpur claiming 26 lives has once again thrown under limelight the hazards of venturing out on the country’s roads more so in unsafe hands that are particularly menacing when it comes to intercity travel. Meanwhile another accident in Chung, near Lahore, wasted four lives. It resulted because of a scuffle between the driver and the conductor.
It is sad to note that both the tragedies involve passenger coaches, administrated by private operators and driven by drivers, who belong to the lot that an average passenger is well acquainted with. A ride with them feels like a brush with death; the daredevils it seems are free to put the lives of passengers in danger just for the thrill of it. They know how to drive a vehicle fast but that is all that they know; they have undergone little training and are by and large ignorant of standard safety rules. This explains why such accidents are so common. To set things right, a cue can be taken from a foreign bus company plying buses on both inter and intracity routes. Its drivers are properly trained and are not spared if found violating the rules. It needs to be ensured that the drivers are trained and have valid licences. The element of human error besides, ramshackle road infrastructure is there of course but dreadful conditions such as prevailing at the moment increase the likelihood of disaster. These would have to be improved if lives are to be saved.