DEVELOPING PAKISTAN: Driving — the good, the bad and the ugly —Miguel Loureiro

Never, ever answer your mobile while driving unless you can find a place to stop. Otherwise just ignore the call until you stop driving (the world will not come to a standstill). And do you really think that you’re more of a man if you drive fast on a public road? I always think that you’re in a rush to get home and start preparing dinner

“A Lahori is only happy when he’s got a line right in the middle of his butt,” is the explanation one Lahori gives for why the residents of this city refuse to stay in one lane. Though this observation can account for why car drivers swerve between lanes, it cannot explain the excessive speeding, lack of respect for traffic rules and signs, pedestrians, other drivers... the list is endless. I am forced to conclude that bad driving is a disease and one that is not limited to Lahore. It is a national disorder that ensures that this country only has bad, and at times ugly, drivers.

According to the UN, more than two people die every minute from traffic accidents around the world. The annual figure is above 1.2 million people. Millions more are injured and/or disabled for life. The World Health Organisation estimates that the economic costs of road traffic injuries amount to $518 billion per year globally. The economic costs to poor countries are $100 billion. This, by the way, is double the amount these countries receive in development assistance. And while the number of traffic deaths is declining in the richer countries, it is increasing in poorer countries, as is the number of traffic accidents.

In 2003, 9,985 accidents were reported in Pakistan, with 4,910 deaths and 11,863 injuries. But not all cases are reported, which means that the real figures might be higher (in Karachi, for example, less than 60 percent of deaths caused by road accidents are reported). According to recent research, Pakistan has one of the highest road accident rates in the world, with 150 road traffic injuries and 33 deaths per 10,000 vehicles per year. The high-risk groups include males; those between 16 and 45 years of age; and labourers and vendors.

Rules and regulations in Pakistan are often old and outdated (the Motor Vehicle Ordinance 1965, the West Pakistan Motor Vehicles Rules 1969, the National Highways Safety Ordinance 2000, and the Highway and Motorway Code). Car parking, too, is a serious issue that has not been tackled by the government. The roads are in disgraceful shape. The traffic police are useless. The traffic signs are either nonexistent or in poor condition. The VVVIPs have no consideration for the citizens. Not a single city has a long-term plan for traffic...

But what about us, the people? How good are we as drivers?

Let me take this opportunity to remind you of what you can and can’t do when on the road.

Let’s start with something simple: being on the road. If you’re driving on a two-lane road, keep to the left while leaving enough space for pedestrians, bicycles, motorbikes and rickshaws. You’re allowed to move to the right lane only if you are overtaking a slower car, or if you’re turning right within the next 50 meters.

If you have to enter a main road from a secondary one by turning right, remember to look both ways and never start driving against the traffic; and go immediately to the left side. If you are entering a main road from a secondary road by turning left, always look before entering; do not assume that cars will go around you, or that you can “squeeze in”. This also applies to motorbikes, rickshaws and bicycles.

Remember that pedestrians have the right of passage within the limits of a zebra crossing (which means you are obliged to stop), as well as when you are turning on to or off a main road (which means you have to let them pass first).

Now let’s look at something that drives me crazy while driving in Pakistan: priority to the right. In every country in the world this rules apply (except, of course, when there is a sign indicating otherwise). This means that if you’re approaching an intersection and there isn’t any sign, you are obliged to let the vehicle coming from the right pass first. This rule also applies to roundabouts. The reason why roundabouts are scenes of chaos and traffic jams in this country is because no one gives priority to the right. Whoever is inside the roundabout has the right of passage, to keep the traffic flowing. So there you go: don’t stop inside the roundabout, stop outside.

Ever spared a thought for what traffic lights stand for? Red means “Stop” — you have to wait behind the stop line on the road. Yellow also means “Stop” — but if you have crossed the stop line or are in a situation where stopping the vehicle may cause an accident, then you may go. Finally Green means “Go” — but only if the way is clear. Where are you going to go — regardless of a green light — if the road is blocked? Remember to give way to pedestrians who are crossing while turning left or right.

The best way to overtake is by making sure that the road is sufficiently clear, ahead of you as well as behind you. Never get too close to the vehicle in front for this will block your vision. Use the mirrors to check if there is anyone coming from behind, signal before you start overtaking (those lights called “indicators” which can be operated from a lever on the right side of the wheel), and never ever suddenly swerve in front of the vehicle you just overtook. It’s simple: mirrors, signals, overtake.

A word on lights: headlights must be adjusted so they do not dazzle oncoming traffic. Never use front or rear fog-lights unless visibility is seriously reduced and you can’t see for more than 100 metres. Use sidelights/presence lights during sunset and sunrise. Use headlights at night, but switch on the full beam only if there is no oncoming traffic. Never drive at night without proper taillights.

Finally, safety: always wear a seatbelt, even if you only going a couple of blocks (remember you can die anywhere). If riding a motorbike, wear a helmet. This applies to the rider as well as the passenger. Never, ever answer your mobile while driving unless you can find a place to stop, where you’re not blocking traffic. Otherwise just ignore the call until you stop driving (the world will not come to a standstill, I promise). And do you really think that you’re more of a man if you drive fast on a public road? I always think that you’re in a rush to get home and start preparing dinner...

Miguel Loureiro is a lecturer in development studies at the Lahore University of Management Sciences

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