The Ministry of Communication in collaboration with Asian Development Bank (ADB) and UK aid launched "The Pakistan National Road Safety Strategy 2018-2030", which is based on the foundation of the first National Road Safety Plan for Motorways and National Highways 2017-2018 and broadens the scope to address all road networks and all road user groups in Pakistan. It sets out a long-term road safety vision for Pakistan and practical and evidenced-based actions to improve safety on national, provincial and local roads. One person is killed or badly injured in every five minutes in a road accident in Pakistan
This vision is supported by ambitious road safety performance targets for each of the UN road safety pillar areas: road safety management, safe roads and roadsides, safe speeds, safe vehicles, safe road users and post-crash response. The strategy also addresses the growing need for actions to minimise road use. In line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) best practice road safety principles, the strategy includes an ambitious target to save more than 6,000 lives by 2030.
This strategy and the series of road safety action plans which will be developed to implement it, address all roads and all road users, especially vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists, pedestrians, passengers in three wheeled vehicles, and children.
"Sustainable improvement in road safety requires the government, industry sector and the people of Pakistan to fundamentally change the way in which we value and approach road safety." While government agencies play the principal role in delivering a safer road transport system, the strategy emphasizes that a collaborative approach is required across all elements of the road transport sector.
According to the strategy, road trauma significantly impacts on the national economy. The WHO estimates that the cost of road traffic crashes is around 3 percent of GDP in low and middle income (LMIC) countries such as Pakistan. Pakistan's projected GDP is $315 billion in 2018, rising to $360 billion by 2020. lf these projections are correct, the loss to the Pakistan economy in 2018 will be around $ 9 billion rising to $11 billion in 2020.
This National Road Safety Strategy 2018-2030 (strategy) delivers a comprehensive, data-base strategy for sustainably improving road safety for all road users, including the vulnerable road user (VRU) group which includes pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists, occupants of three-wheeled a non-motorised vehicles, women, children, and older road users.
In accordance with international best practice, the National Road Strategy 2018-30 for Pakistan has been developed using evidence-based approach. This has included the activities including a review of current road safety practice, comparison of Pakistan's performance against international best practice, analysis of available crash and transport related data, data modelling to set targets, and consultation with key stakeholder agencies, including civil society groups.
Addressing on this occasion Minister of State for Communications Murad Saeed said that road safety is a major public health issue in Pakistan. It is estimated that every five minutes someone is killed or badly injured in a road traffic crash in Pakistan. As well as the enormous human suffering, the economic cost is estimated to be 3-5 percent of Pakistan's GDP. Pakistan's rapid economic growth and expanding road infrastructure create an opportunity to significantly improve the safety of the road transport system through better roads and roadsides, safer travel speeds, safer vehicles and improved safety awareness and compliance of all people who travel on roads, he added.
Pakistan's geographical position places it at the heart of regional road transport growth. However, improvements in mobility must not be at the expense of safety. Pakistan's strong political will to improve the safety and health of its entire people is reflected in its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, 2030, and the UN 2030 Global Road Safety Performance Targets.
The minister also hinted at changing in the driving licence mechanism, road infrastructure plan and monitoring/checking vehicles condition. The minister said that all provinces would be taken on board to fully implement the plan as it is national cause to save people's lives. He said that the policy targets would be reviewed after every six months to ensure its implementation.
Saeed said the present government is determined to put country on the track to development. Pakistan's rapid economic uplift growth and expanding road infrastructure create an opportunity to significantly improve the safety of the road transport system through better roads and roadsides, safer travel speeds, safer vehicles and improved safety awareness and compliance of all people who travel on roads. Inspector General National Highways and Motorways Police Allah Dino Khawaja said there are practical challenges faced by the implementing forces. "We need to have well-designed road and standard of driving licence," said Khawaja, adding that different provinces have different standards for driving licence. He further said there is no vehicle fitness system. "We need to bring uniform laws to cater to the road accident challenges." He further stressed on use of technology, awareness, education, enforcement mechanism as well as standard driving licence issuing institutions across the country.
Federal Secretary Communications Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, Chairman NHA Jawwad Rafique Malik, Director General Rescue 1122 Punjab, Dr Rizwan Naseer, Deputy Country Director ADB Pakistan Resident Mission Sunil Mitra, Director Roads, Ministry of Communications, Hameed Akhtar, and head of Economic Growth Group DFID Pakistan also addressed on the occasion.