The Kalar Kahar bus accident that took 45 innocent lives has sent shockwaves across the country. Students in the bus were on a trip to salt mines and while going back to Faisalabad, the brakes of bus carrying 107 students failed. The bus turned turtle and fell into a ravine. 45 casualties have been reported so far. Pakistan has high ratio of road accidents merely because of rash driving and poor road infrastructure. Dilapidated road conditions, unawareness of proper driving rules, non-maintenance of vehicles and technical flaws often take lives of passengers. The problem becomes severe as little or no action is taken against the negligent drivers. So far as the present case is concerned, brake failure means either the bus was technically unfit or the driver lacked experience and skill. It is hard to imagine the sorrow and grief of those who lost their loved one in this accident. Road safety measures are not adapted by transporters and fatigue factor often results into fatal accidents. It is hoped that the root cause of the said accident would be thoroughly investigated and the guilty would be taken to task. Loading more than a hundred passengers on a bus is criminal. School management may also be asked to explain as to why an overloaded bus was taken to a trip in hilly and dangerous area. IFTIKHAR SHAHEEN MIRZA, Islamabad, September27.