Road Safety

Road Safety – A Shared Responsibility

Road traffic crashes claim over 1.19 million lives worldwide each year, making them the leading cause of death among young people aged 5–29. In Pakistan, the situation is equally alarming, with more than 41,000 lives lost annually — one every five minutes. In 2023, Karachi alone recorded over 1,400 fatalities and 18,000 injuries, mostly young motorcyclists. The economic toll is immense, costing about USD 12 billion annually (3% of GDP), higher than national health spending. With only 1% of roads meeting safety standards, poor infrastructure, weak enforcement, and unsafe driving behaviors fuel this crisis. Experts estimate that investing just 0.2% of GDP in road safety could save up to 9,000 lives every year — a clear call for action, awareness, and safer infrastructure.