Let’s start off with some basic physics: when your car is in motion, so are you. Consequently, if this moving car is made to stop suddenly, all unrestricted objects in the car are bound to follow the same mannerism; without a seat belt, that includes you too. Making things a bit simpler, when you try to stop a moving vehicle, everyone inside it - no matter how minutely - will be impacted.
Let’s start off with some basic physics: when your car is in motion, so are you. Consequently, if this moving car is made to stop suddenly, all unrestricted objects in the car are bound to follow the same mannerism; without a seat belt, that includes you too. Making things a bit simpler, when you try to stop a moving vehicle, everyone inside it - no matter how minutely - will be impacted.
You may rightfully argue that we’ve all been with that one friend or cousin who speeds and brakes (of course, you’re not that reckless driver) relying on nerves of steel and have, for the most part, gone unharmed. Collisions, however, are different. Not only that, they are also unforeseen. Take, for instance, a vehicle travelling well over the speed limit. In case of abrupt braking, chances are that that people inside the car may receive serious injuries that could even prove fatal in some incidences. However, such unfortunate outcomes are still highly preventable. According to the US Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, adult seat belt use is the most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries in crashes.
Unfortunately, people in our country are averse to using seat belts. In fact, people in general look at those careful ones who use seat belts with amused condescension. Barring, of course, Islamabad and Lahore where the use of seat belt has become mandatory.
It is to not surprising at all that teenagers have the lowest rate of seat belt use in comparison to other age groups, which is directly linked to the fact that motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for teens in the United States. According to the Youth Risk Behaviour Surveillance System’s user data for 2013, only 55 percent of high school students reported they always wear seat belts when riding with someone else. But why is it that one would ignore the importance of an invention with benefits so profound? Amongst the top excuses given for not using seat belts were that they are uncomfortable, they wrinkle clothes, and that in case of an unfortunate event an airbag would suffice; in most cases, these very arguments against the use of seat belts culminate in the assertion that there should not be laws enforcing seat belts and making them a norm.
Pakistan, unfortunately, still has not learned much from the past. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics’ records for the time period 2007-2008 there were over 10,000 accidents in the country, almost half of which were fatal. Where on one hand road, rage has become a norm in the country and something that no longer seems to bother the masses much; it is sad to accept that minimal efforts and a sense of conscientiousness can save thousands of lives every year. Naturally, one may resort to the blame game and blame the other party (and increasingly the government) for not being responsible enough when it comes to the lives and safety of their fellow citizens. It may be a hard pill to swallow, but we are all to blame. A law was passed in 2008 where all drivers were required to fasten their seat belts explicitly making known to the country that failure to do so would result in a fine of Rs300. Simultaneously; it was made obligatory for taxi drivers to install seat belts that very year. The results: average seat belt use rates in Pakistan are around 20, with figures on rural roads going as low as 5 percent. The logical outcome: it is estimated by the World Health Organization that approximately 30,131 people die in road crashes annually on Pakistani roads (WHO 2013).
As is the case with each problem, acceptance is only just the first step to a long path of redemption. We all know that a vast majority of those in the government of Pakistan and the country’s general public at large are not conscious and, consequently, cautious enough when it comes to the matter of wearing seat belts and protecting themselves and their loved ones from unanticipated harm. The solution to this problem is far from simple... but still possible. First and foremost, the stance that the government has been taking on the issue of safety and security of its people thus far needs to be changed immediately. The people of Pakistan have already suffered far too much for their lives to be put in danger, even in their own cars, simply due to the lack of awareness. There is a dire need for the government to revise its plan of action and go about this issue with a different approach. It is evident that not enough has been done to promote preventive measures taken on the roads; even less is enforced. Campaigns like “Buckle Up, America” need to become the new norm as compensation for the 30000 precious souls lost in our country alone per annum. If effective use is made of print and digital media, unimaginable numbers of people can be affected; hence, also making it more likely for the message to be spread by word of mouth contrary to how things work in the country today (that is, only wear seat belts if you are personally comfortable with them). That is the very mentality we must aim to eradicate to save precious lives.
Secondly, the average Pakistani consumer tends to opt for used cars of well known companies due to familiarity with certain brands amidst other factors like durability and credibility. On the downside, the majority of these used cars come without seat belts and the customer, unfortunately, could not be less concerned. Laws need to be made and enforced making it mandatory for retailers to install seat belts and airbags (along the customary maintenance checks), and strict action must be taken against those who do not comply. Penalties should include heavy fines, jail terms and in case of mass revolt against the law, the retailers’ right to trade should also be forfeited. No more room for leniency remains in a matter so intense.
The idea is simple: in order to promote the use of seat belts, helmets, child seats and the likes, since the ordinary regulations refuse to do the trick, a different plan of action needs to be implemented on an urgent basis.
It is time for the country to tackle all the issues concerning its integrity, security and prosperity, and, saving lives lost needlessly should be the priority with the government. We already have the law regarding seat belts in place. All we need is to implement and enforce it effectively. Is it really too much to ask of our government?
