- By: Major Nadeem Baig (R)
Pakistan continues to witness an alarming rise in road accidents, particularly involving motorcycles and tractor-trolley combinations.
One of the leading causes of these accidents is the non-installation of rearview mirrors and malfunctioning or missing indicators on motorcycles. With a massive increase in motorbike usage across urban and rural areas, the absence of basic safety features has made navigating busy roads a life-threatening task.
Most two-wheeler riders ignore or remove back mirrors. Without indicators, their sudden turns or lane changes become unpredictable, often causing fatal collisions.
Moreover, the situation worsens during the night, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions, where trolleys towed by tractors operate without reflectors or backlights. These unlit, wide-load trolleys become invisible hazards, especially on roads without proper street lighting.
On highways such as the Grand Trunk (GT) Road, such conditions are proving deadly. Without visible width markers, drivers of oncoming or overtaking vehicles often fail to judge the full width of the trolley, leading to crashes that result in injuries, fatalities, and massive traffic blockades.
Tractor-trolleys without proper lighting or reflectors are death traps at night. Even the tractor driver cannot see the far end of the trolley he’s towing.
- Key Concerns:
- Motorcycles without rearview mirrors or functioning indicators.
- Trolleys lacking rear reflectors, tail lights, or warning signs, especially at night.
- Lack of public awareness and poor law enforcement.
- Weak vehicle inspection systems and unregulated modifications.
- Recommended Measures:
- Mandatory installation of back mirrors and working indicators for all motorcycles.
- Strict enforcement through fines and vehicle fitness checks at checkpoints.
- Ban on operating unlit trolleys at night; require reflectors, tail lights, and hazard signs.
- Launch awareness campaigns for rural drivers and vehicle owners.
- Increase night patrolling and highway monitoring to catch violations.
- Way Forward
The National Highway and Motorway Police (NHMP), along with provincial traffic departments, are urged to take immediate action to enforce these safety regulations. With the growing number of vehicles and expanding road networks, a comprehensive road safety overhaul is no longer optional — it is a national necessity.
Unless decisive steps are taken, the roads of Pakistan will continue to bear witness to avoidable tragedies that claim thousands of lives each year.