Lahore: Chief Traffic Officer (CTO has decided to launch a major crackdown and implement category-wise monitoring of vehicle types disproportionately involved in road accidents across the city.
According to a spokesperson here on Sunday, over 8.26 million vehicles were registered in the city; however, despite the relatively low numbers of certain vehicle types, their involvement in fatal accidents was disproportionately high.
Statistics revealed that tractor-trolleys constituted only 0.9 per cent of total registered vehicles but accounted for 10 per cent of fatal accidents. Similarly, trucks and dumpers made up 0.6 per cent of registered vehicles yet were involved in 10 per cent of fatal accidents, meaning they were involved in crashes at a rate 18 times higher than their share of the total vehicle population.
Pickup trucks represented 0.5 per cent of total registered vehicles, but their involvement in fatal accidents was eight times higher than their proportional share.
Coaches, buses, coasters, and flying coaches accounted for 0.7 per cent of the total vehicle fleet, yet they were involved in 7 per cent of fatal accidents. Statistics further showed that Qingqi rickshaws accounted for 1.7 per cent of total registered vehicles, yet were involved in 6 per cent of fatal accidents. Cars made up 21.8 per cent of total registered vehicles and were recorded as being involved in 26 per cent of accidents.
Motorcycles constituted 68.6 per cent of the city’s total registered vehicles, while their involvement in fatal accidents was recorded at 72 per cent. APV vehicles accounted for only 0.4 per cent of the total, yet their involvement in accidents was five times higher than their share of the vehicle population. Similarly, mini-trucks were found to be involved in accidents at a rate more than five times their registered share.
The CTO ordered strict inspection of fitness certificates, route permits, and driving licenses for vehicles involved in fatal accidents. Special checks will also be conducted on the licenses of commercial vehicle drivers and the fitness certificates of their vehicles.
The CTO stated that effective action will be taken against vehicle categories disproportionately involved in accidents relative to their registered numbers, while checks on vehicle fitness and driving licenses will be ensured to help prevent fatal accidents.