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Shared responsibility on the road
Motorcycle safety is not just a matter for bikers alone but for everyone sharing the road. Motorcyclists, often driven by a desire to reach their destination quickly, sometimes make dangerous choices, such as riding on the wrong side of the road, speeding or cutting in and out of lanes.
These actions, intended to save time, put not only themselves but also other drivers at significant risk. A common scenario involves motorcyclists disregarding traffic rules, which leads to sudden, unavoidable situations for car drivers who are following the law. In such cases, it’s often the car drivers who bear the blame or are left dealing with the consequences, despite being victims of reckless actions.
Many bikers involved in accidents tend to flee the scene, leaving car drivers with the responsibility of dealing with damages, medical bills or legal proceedings. This behaviour causes frustration and an unfair burden on those who prioritize safety and follow the rules. Pedestrians are also at risk when motorcyclists speed through crosswalks or ignore traffic signals. This disregard for others’ safety can lead to accidents that impact lives and increase dissatisfaction among law-abiding citizens.
Encouraging responsible riding behaviour and stricter enforcement of traffic laws is crucial. Measures like fines for violations and public awareness campaigns can help promote a culture of responsibility. Government policies and educational programs on road safety can further emphasize the importance of safe driving practices. Ultimately, safety on the road is a shared responsibility and motorcyclists must understand their impact on others, respecting traffic rules to protect themselves and everyone around them.
ROYYAM SAQIB
Islamabad
Air pollution
The Air Quality Index (AQI) gauges levels of various pollutants in the atmosphere, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), coarse particulate matter (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3). An AQI above 100 is considered “unhealthy,” while a reading below 50 is deemed “very healthy.” Punjab’s escalating smog crisis, driven primarily by crop residue burning and industrial emissions, has prompted urgent and stringent action by the provincial government to protect public health. Recently, UNICEF issued a stark warning, cautioning that the ongoing smog could threaten the lives of as many as 10 million children in Punjab in the coming months.
In contrast, Karachi stands at 30th globally in air quality, with a moderate AQI of 79, a level generally favourable for public health. The Government of Sindh has effectively addressed carbon emissions and waste management—both solid and liquid—through various targeted and sustainable initiatives. Among these is the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) program, which aims to curb emissions by using biogas, an organic fuel mixture. Another significant initiative is the Karachi Climate Action Plan (K-CAP), a long-term strategy designed to decarbonize the city by 2050. K-CAP has marshalled a skilled team to ensure Karachi becomes a cleaner, greener urban centre. The Punjab government, meanwhile, has struggled to introduce robust policies that could make Lahore and surrounding areas smog-free. The smog is not contained within Lahore alone; it has spread steadily to other cities, with Multan being hit especially hard. The government’s actions thus far have failed to stem the tide, as the smog continues to spread unabated.
SAJJAD ALI MEMON
Darbello, Sindh
Ragging menace
Kudos to Jubel D’Cruz for the letter titled “Ragging menace” (November 21). Do the parents raise their children with a lot of love and sacrifice to send them to “gallows” i.e. hostels of reputed institutions and universities, where their dream and flame of life can be extinguished brutally by the merchants of death!
Do the parents admit their children to the colleges to get physically abused by the uncivilized brute “brilliant” students who form the “future of the society”! The menace of ragging is indeed increasing by leaps and bounds with each passing day. However, it is natural because far from awarding severe punishment to the offenders, they actually escape scot-free on most occasions. This is the very reason why the vulgar lot continue to torture innocent juniors without a bit of hesitation. Ragging not only physically endangers the victim, but also leaves a permanent mark on his/her psyche also.
The self-appointed guardians of “acclimatising the juniors with college culture” should be awarded exemplary punishment so that they think twice before indulging in cowardice called ragging. The rise in incidents of ragging has exposed the flaws in the education system, which might be successful in churning out academically brilliant students, but has failed to inculcate the right values in them. Educationists and policy makers should now think of providing stress on value-based, instead of career-based education.
KAJAL CHATTERJEE
Kolkata, India
