THE frequency of road accidents and consequent deathsinPakistanhave been on the increase for the past many months.

Generally, accidents are attributed to the damaged road network and over-speeding.

Despite clear instructions, life-saving equipment in the shape of stretcher, rescue belts, firefighting equipment, first-aid box, emergency exit door, quality CNG1(it and cylinders (which is substandard) is usually missing on highway-bound buses/coaches.

Although accidents are fortuitous, there is a dire need for examining as to how best these can be prevented.The5tness and road-worthiness of vehicles should be given top priority, and licence should be granted only when a certificate of road-worthiness is obtained from a government-nominated workshop.

Moreover, the driver`s age and his physical health should be made mandatory, and no driver should be allowed to work overtime.

A code of conduct formulated by the transport authorities of the province concerned should be prominently displayed inallpassengercoaches andtheirspeed should be checked regularly through speed guns to ensure road safety.

As the rescue and evacuation of casualties is a specialised subject, it should be handled by trained staff, preferably under the supervision of a doctor.

Ehtisham Uddin Karachi