- By: Maj Aamir Zia (R)
There’s a popular saying: “If you want to understand the character of a nation, just look at how its people drive.” As simplistic as it may sound, this observation holds a deep and telling truth. Roads are not merely stretches of asphalt that connect point A to point B they are, in many ways, reflections of a nation’s psyche.
Every day, millions of us step onto the roads whether on foot, behind a steering wheel, or riding two wheels for purposes as mundane as grocery shopping or as critical as attending school, business meetings, or medical appointments. In this daily choreography, our collective mindset is on full display: discipline or chaos, patience or aggression, respect or entitlement.
In a well-functioning society, roads operate as a sign of order. From the engineering behind them to the traffic systems that regulate flow, they reveal a society’s commitment to structure, safety, and the public good. Road planners, civil engineers, and urban developers work behind the scenes to provide not just smooth transportation, but a safer and more organized living experience. Their work reflects foresight, planning, and a sense of civic responsibility.
But then comes the human element and that is where the road becomes a stage for national behavior. In countries like Pakistan, the picture is often disheartening. A casual glance at our roads reveals a deep-seated cultural attitude of rule-breaking, haste, and disregard. Young motorcyclists weave recklessly through traffic, often indulging in dangerous stunts like one-wheeling not out of necessity, but as a misguided badge of pride. Traffic lights are treated more like suggestions than rules. Speed limits are ignored. Honking, lane violations, and road rage are commonplace.
First, it reflects a societal impatience a relentless urge to get ahead, even if it’s at the cost of safety or civility. Second, it underscores a lack of enforcement and respect for authority. The presence of traffic police, often under-resourced and underappreciated, does little to deter those who see rules as obstacles rather than guidelines. Third, and perhaps most concerning, is our collective apathy toward others’ well-being on the road. Driving is not just a mechanical act; it is a psychological one. It reveals our attitudes toward time, law, discipline, and empathy. If a driver ignores a red light, it may be because he believes his time is more valuable than others . If a motorcyclist performs dangerous stunts on a crowded road, he may be seeking attention in a society that denies him other platforms to express his identity. If a pedestrian risks crossing in the middle of speeding traffic, it may be because he has lost faith in systems that were supposed to protect him.
The roads, then, are not just physical spaces. They are emotional landscapes. And they tell the world a lot about who we are not just as individuals, but as a society. Change is not impossible. In countries where driving was once chaotic, reforms in road management, citizen education, and strict enforcement have turned the tide. We can do the same. But it will require more than just new roads and flyovers it will demand a shift in collective behavior, a renewal of civic sense, and perhaps most importantly, a belief that we are all equally responsible for the journey. Until then, our roads will continue to reflect more than just our infrastructure they will mirror our mindset, our discipline, and ultimately, the kind of nation we aspire to be.