TEXT OF SPEECH DELIVERED BY

By Khawaja Raffat Zaheer
Secretary General Association of Road Users of Pakistan

AT
ROTARY CLUB OF KARACHI
LUNCHEON-MEETING AT
PEARL CONTINENTAL HOTEL, KARACHI.

MONDAY 8TH APRIL, 2002.

CHAOTIC STATE OF TRAFFIC ON ROADS AND HIGHWAYS OF PAKISTAN.

CAUSES OF THIS CHAOS:-
(a) Lack of Traffic Law Enforcement.
(b) Absence of General Awareness amongst Road Users of Road Safety and Traffic Discipline requirements/precautions.
(c) Absence of formal/adequate training particularly for commercial vehicle drivers.
(d) High rate of illiteracy amongst commercial vehicle drivers who are unable to read/comprehend traffic signs and warnings.
(e) Exhaustion and driving of vehicle under influence of drugs by commercial vehicle drivers (habitual drug adicts).
(f) Rash driving by juvenile delinquent drivers.
(g) Propensity amongst the rich and powerful citizens to flout traffic laws.
(h) Corrupt practices of driving lincence issuing authorities resulting in presence of unqualified drivers on the roads.
(i) Overloading of commercial vehicles.
(j) Operation of mechanically unfit vehicles and unlit vehicles at night.
(k) Speeding of buses competing for passengers in urban area.
(l) Sudden appearance of stray animals on roads and highways particularly at night.
(m) Uncovered manhole covers and other road hazards in urban areas.
(n) Potholes and damaged road surface without any warning signs.
(o) Loading and unloading of passengers from buses in the middle of the road at undesignated stops.
(p) Pollution of the environment by excessive gas emissions from motor vehicles.

Pakistan has one of the highest road accident rate in the world, (about 18.69 accidents per 10,000 registered vehicles), taking into consideration the number of vehicles plying on our roads. It is estimated that about 10,000 people die as a result of road accidents each year. The loss to Pakistan's economy as a consequence of these accidents is estimated to be in the region of US $ 2 billion per annum. The rate of such accidents is increasing each year. Please refer to these two transparencies taken from an ADB Report which I will now display for you:-

i- Fatalities/10,000 vehicles.
ii- Fatality index (deaths divided by total casualties expressed as a percentage).

This is an UNACCEPTABLE situation and corrective action MUST be taken by all concerned, without further delay, to reverse this trend. The Association of Road Users of Pakistan ("ARUP") is making a concerted effort to spread the message of "Road Safety and Traffic Discipline" in all parts of Pakistan. Through the platform of the Rotary Club of Karachi, I invite all Rotarians and other eminent citizens of Karachi, to join hands with ARUP in implementing some of the corrective measures required in our society, to make our roads and highways safer. Some of you may feel that this is the exclusive purview of the Federal and Provincial Governments and their relevant Agencies concerned with roads and highways. I would suggest to you that the successive Governments in Pakistan have failed in this respect too and it is now upto the Civic Society to play a effective role in encouraging and implementing reform in the road sector.

About 95 percent of the inland cargo movement within Pakistan is transported by road and about 90 percent of the passenger movements within the country is handled by road transport. Thus the relevance of the existence of a network of safe and efficient roads for the development of the national economy and prosperity of the people of Pakistan, is well established by these facts.

The Government needs to embark upon an extensive programme for construction of a network of farm-to-market roads, all over the country. These are essential for transporting the agricultural produce of the rural areas in an efficient and cost effective manner. This task is about to commence in the province of Sindh with a loan of US $ 250 million recently provided by the Asian Development Bank. I am happy to report that "ARUP" will be involved in monitoring the construction of these farm-to-market roads in Sindh, at the request of the Asian Development Bank.

The Association of Road Users of Pakistan ("ARUP") is a Non-Government/ Non-Profit Organisation established in October 1998 to address all road related issues in Pakistan. The main aim of the Association is to create awareness amongst all road users and stakeholders to make a concerted effort to bring about improvements to the road sector in the country.

The major target areas are highlighted below:-

a) Introduce a better regime in the country that would oversee the construction of new roads and maintenance of the existing network
b) Promote an effective road management and enforcement structure throughout the country
c) Enforce better road safety measures and educate the public especially the youth in the educational institutions
d) Protect the environment through the control of gas emissions and sound from vehicles
e) Develop a comprehensive databank that is available as a common user facility (for the general public, government agencies, professional organizations, research institutions etc). In this context an interactive website supported by a powerful database has been developed and can be viewed at "http://www.pakroadusers.org"

It is our aim to work together with the numerous government organisations and donor agencies to achieve the objectives of the Association. ARUP has so far in excess of 1,000 members enrolled from all the provinces including two dozen corporate members comprising of multinational companies (Caltex, PSO, Hinopak to name a few) and local business concerns. The drive to increase our membership is continuing though public awareness seminars and workshops (about 14 have so far been conducted) at commercially important cities in the country. We are taking an active part on a number of platforms and I am pleased to mention that the donor agencies and government departments have accepted ARUP as a premier NGO in the country involved in the development of the road sector.
One of the challenges of our work at ARUP is to find ways to ensure sufficient mobility to support economic growth while balancing the effect on the environment and society. ARUP draws lessons from international experience, identifies areas where more data is needed to arrive at viable policy recommendations, and assists Government Agencies and Civil Society in their work to improve urban air quality. The majority of Pakistani cities suffer from extremely high levels of urban air pollution particularly in the form of small particles. Urban air pollution causes five times as many deaths and illness as malaria and is among the largest contributors to the burden of disease in Pakistan. Therefore, coordinating environment, transport and energy polices for cleaner air is of vital importance. Improving urban air quality in the cities of Pakistan by reducing emissions particularly from two-stroke engine vehicles (motorcycles and autorickshaws) remains the focus of ARUP's attention. The use of LNG/LPG fuel (being environment friendly) for urban transport vehicles is being actively promoted.

I have pleasure in presenting for your perusal ARUP Bulleting 2001, which highlights our accomplishments during the calendar year 2001. ARUP's activity plan for the period January - June, 2002 is being presented for your information. I am happy to report that we are on course and ARUP has accomplished the target set for it at the beginning of this year.

Road Safety is a multi-dimensional issue. It requires well coordinated efforts of all concerned ministeries/relevant agencies, NGOs and the private sector (civil society). In order to avoid duplication or fragmentation of efforts, co-ordination is most essential. This is an area where ARUP has a special role to play. Road Safety plans in Pakistan should focus on saving lives and reducing the severity of accidents. First aid at the scene of an accident and rapid transportation of victims to a hospital can reduce complication due to even simple injuries. Delay can result in death or permanent disability. The timely administration of proper first aid and prompt medical treatment to the accident victim, increases the patients potential for survival and full recovery. Unfortunately, these measures are not fully understood/appreciated by our traffic police and the civil society. There is an urgent need for suitable amendment in the Law, to facilitate immediate medical treatment to all road accident victims, without waiting for an FIR to be filed. First aid facilities should be provided at regular intervals along all highways. Trauma Centers should be established in leading hospitals to treat road accident victims.

ARUP BULLETIN 2001 HIGHLIGHTS OF MAJOR EVENTS

January: Final Workshop of Road Stakeholders Consultation
Programme at NHA auditorium, Islamabad on 18-01-2001.
Road Stakeholders' Recommendations presented at this
Workshop, were accepted by Federal Minister for
Communications and Railways, who nominated ARUP
as the organization responsible for monitoring
implementation of the Recommendations adopted at this
Workshop.

February: Launching of ARUP's Road Safety Booklet (English
Edition). "ARSB" was hailed as a valuable contribution
for all Road Users.

March: Meeting at Lahore, of ARUP SG and Executive Board
members from Punjab with DIG (T) Punjab for setting-up
Accident Reporting Centre ("ARC") adjacent to his office in
Lahore.

April: Presentation of ARUP's Report on "Road Stakeholders
Consultation Workshops" ("RSHCW") to World Bank,
Islamabad.

May: World Bank, Islamabad circulates ARUP's "RSHCW"
Report to all GoP Departments and Agencies in Pakistan
concerned with Roads. RSHCW Report also circulated to
World Bank Washington and ADB Islamabad. Report was
well received by all concerned.

June: ARUP's proposal for establishing a Commercial Drivers
Training Institute ("CDTI") at ex-KTC facility at Mongopir
Road, SITE, Karachi, approved by Minister for Government
Transport of Sindh, ARUP submits its draft of ARUP/GoS
Lease Agreement for "CDTI" to Secretary Transport, GoS.

July: ARUP present detailed plan to Deputy Inspector General
Police (Traffic) Sindh, for launching a Roadside Camp
Campaign, which will promote awareness of Traffic
Discipline Regulations, Road Safety and Control of
Environmental Pollution by motor vehicles.

August: ARUP's proposal for "Road Safety and Traffic Discipline"
education (RSTDE) in Schools of Pakistan, on a mandatory
basis (allocating 45 minutes per weak during regular school
hours) presented to Administrator/Director of Education of
Beconhouse School System at Lahore (for implementation
on a countrywide basis). SG calls on Mrs. Anita Ghulamali,
Minister for Education GoS, to explain ARUP's proposal
regarding "Road Safety and Traffic Discipline Mandatory
Education for all school children in Sindh. The Minister
promises the SG, that ARUP will be invited in the near
future, to make a presentation on this subject at the
Department of Education, GoS.

September: ARUP EB resolves to relentlessly persue its campaign to
include mandatory "RSTDE" for school children with necessary lobbying in concerned GoP Agencies with the support of ARUP Corporate members.

October: Joint Secretary ARUP Punjab, Sardar Humayun Khan,
presents a paper at the National Highways and Motorway
Police's Seminar at Islamabad on 23-10-2001.

November: ARUP commences translation and editorial work for the Urdu
edition of "ARSB" and approaches the Asian Development
Bank for funding the publishing and printing of 10,000 copies
Of "ARSB" Urdu edition.

December: ARUP solicits the support of its Corporate Members and
other private sector companies for funding of (about Rs.
1,000,000 for "ARSB" Urdu Edition, as it becomes clear that
ADB may not be able to provide the required funds to ARUP
directly.

ARUP ACTIVITY PLAN FOR FIRST HALF OF 2002

January : (i) EB meeting in Islamabad on 13-01-2002.
(ii) Meeting with DIG (T) Sindh for launching of ARUP's
Roadside Camp Campaign in Karachi for promotion of Road Safety/
Traffic Discipline and Prevention of Pollution (RC-RS/TD/PP) from
motor vehicles.
(iii) Meetings for promoting ARUP with Senior Representatives of
World Bank, Asian Development Bank, National Highways Authority and
National Highway and Motorway Police in Islamabad. Meeting with
senior representatives of National Logistics Cell at Rawalpindi.

February : Weekly lectures for commercial drivers and school children at Karachi
Traffic Police auditorium (Driving License Branch, Clifton, Karachi) by
ARUP representatives on traffic discipline, observance of traffic
regulations and road safety. This will be an on-going exercise.
Presentation of a paper on behalf of ARUP entitled: "Air Quality in
Urban areas in Pakistan: Issues and Management tools for transport
planning" by Dr. Noman F. Qadir (ARUP EB Member) at the ADB
Transport Planning Workshop at Manila 26-27th February, 2002.

March : Executive Board meeting at Lahore.

April : (i) Operation of Road Safety Traffic Discipline Campaign in collaboration
with Karachi Traffic Police and one of ARUP's Corporate Members.
(ii) Signing of Lease Agreement between ARUP/ Karachi City
Government for ARUP's Commercial Driver Training Institute
(CDTI) in Karachi.

May : (i) Launching of "ARSB" Urdu edition at Karachi.
(ii) Distribution of Urdu "ARSB" to commercial drivers in all
provinces of Pakistan.

June : (i) Establishment and operation of Secretariat by ARUP for
conducting Stakeholder Consultations in Sindh, on behalf of ADB
and monitoring of road development work undertaken, by
Communication and Works Department, GoS, with ADB funding.
This will be an on-going exercise.
(ii) EB meeting in Balochistan to concide with ARUP/NHA
proposed Seminar on "Obeyance of Axle-Load Limitations on
Pakistani Highways".

RECOMMENDED MEASURES FOR IMPROVEMENT OF ROAD SAFETY IN PAKISTAN:-

(1) A reliable data base should be developed for evaluating the scale and nature of road safety problems.
Accurate professional analysis of causes of road accidents must be undertaken and priorities set for required direction for future efforts, for minimizing accidents.
(2) Emergency telephone service along all the highways should be provided.
(3) Traffic legislation in Pakistan is based on out-dated colonial Motor Vehicle Code. There is an urgent need to revise on modern lines, all the provincial motor vehicle legislation. The National Highway Safety Ordinance 2000, can serve as a model for the provinces. It is essential to maintain uniformity in federal and provincial road legislation and the rules/regulations framed therein.
(4) Computerization of all information related to road vehicles and drivers, is a key ingredient for sound and proper enforcement of all traffic laws. Provincial governments must ensure computerization of all traffic records.
(5) Concerted effort must be made to strictly remove all encroachments along roads and highways.
(6) The Chief Executive of the provinces should be approached to extend their personal patronage for Road Safety Campaigns. Such high level patronage is vital for achieving progress.
(7) Road Safety Workshops involving all road stakeholders (including provincial and regional traffic police) should be organized at regular intervals in all major cities. These workshops should be used for dissemination of data on accidents, law enforcement and good practices on the issue of road safety.
(8) Radio, electronic and print media should be extensively utilized for conveying Road Safety messages.
(9) Road Safety Education Campaign should target the youth of our society. Young minds are much more receptive and easier to mould than older ones. The benefits to our society of targeting the youth will be more lasting and profound, as, with the passage of time, change in behavior and attitude towards Road Safety will accrue in the society as a whole.
(10) Traffic sign charts, pamphlets, posters and buttons with catchy slogans should be displayed and provided to the youth in schools.
(11) The "do's and don'ts" about road user behavior, road safety and driving tips, weather and traffic condition information should be published regularly in popular newspapers, journals and magazines.

(12) Road Safety Education must be mandatory and included in the school syllabus. Children should be taught about road safety through the simulation of real life situations played as a game. This would be the most effective means of improving young children's skills and judgements.
(13) In order to be effective Road Safety education campaigns need to be sustained and not sporadic.
(14) The wearing of seat-belts for adults and appropriate restraints for infants/children should be made mandatory for all occupants in vehicles (drivers plus front and rear seat passengers).
(15) Reorganization and restructuring of Traffic Police cadre, to motivate the Police officers/staff to always act in a professional manner.
(16) Professional training of Traffic Police to improve their knowledge of traffic management/ regulations and inculcate a high standard of efficiency.
(17) Strict enforcement of traffic regulations for all road users without any bias or discrimination.
(18) Imposition of severe penalties and sanctions upon habitual offenders of traffic regulations.
(19) Introduction of the points system for offenders of traffic regulations and suspension of driving licences upon accumulation of excessive points.
(20) Implementation of ticketing system for payment of traffic offence fines.
(21) Regular repairs and maintenance of all roads to international standards, ensuring elimination of hazards.
(22) Road signage, especially warning signs alerting drivers regarding presence of road hazards, must be improved.

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