Lahore High Court Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial on Monday directed the provincial government to constitute a commission for road safety to control the increasing number of road accidents.
He also directed the authorities to take action against people driving unfit vehicles and to curb the issuance of driving licences to under-age drivers.
The CJ was hearing a petition moved by a citizen questioning the procedure for obtaining driving licences. He alleged that the procedure in place allowed one to obtain a licence “sitting at home”. This, he said, was the main reason behind the recent increase in traffic accidents.
The Emergency Service (Rescue-1122) reported more than 400,000 road accidents had occurred in the province between 2004 and 2012. It suggested the formation of a road safety commission to suggest measures to control accidents on roads and educate drivers about road safety.
The CJ ordered the commission’s formation with the transport secretary to head it. The IGP and Chief Traffic Officer would also be members of the commission.
The CJ then disposed of the petition directing the authorities to also remove dangerous turns on roads and unnecessary speed-breakers.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 23rd, 2013.