Road safety challenges in Pakistan: an overview

Pakistan’s location provides economic advantage for freight transportation from the Indian Ocean to Afghanistan, China, and the Central Asian States. In late 1970s, Pakistan shifted focus from railway to roadway as the major mode of transportation. This policy shift introduced heavy vehicles for which highways were not designed. In late 1990s, migration to urban areas increased congestion on Pakistan’s highways. In early 2000s, the economic sanctions on Pakistan were lifted in exchange for cooperation with the war on terrorism. The global war on terrorism also increased freight transportation from Pakistan to Afghanistan which supported ISAF forces. The military freight, urbanization, motorization, and congestion increased risk to road users. The World Health Organization reported 25,000–30,000 annual deaths on Pakistan’s roads. This paper reflects upon strategic national issues including war on terrorism. To reduce road congestion, Pakistan must revise national transportation policy and split traffic volume into different modes.