Identifying the Causes and Protective Measures of Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) in Bahawalpur City, Pakistan

Abstract

Road Traffic Accident (RTA) is a growing public issue and fall among the four top causes of mortality and morbidity globally. The main objective of this study was to identify the causes and protective measures of road traffic accidents in Bahawalpur City. Primary data was gathered through a structured questionnaire during a field survey in selected five public places as sample sites i.e. Larry Ada, University Chowk, Bahawal Victoria Hospital (BVH), One Unit Chowk, and Melad Chowk. Secondary data of road accidents was gathered form National Highway and Motor Way Police (NH&MP) while primary data was gathered from 150 respondents (30 from each study site) and analyzed in SPSS software by applying descriptive statistics and road accident risk index (RARI). Findings revealed that the main causes of these accidents include increase in population (62.66%), increase in demand for vehicles (22%), bike drivers (69.33%), overtaking of the vehicles (51.33%), over speed and hustle to reach the destination (34.66%). One wheeling is also a major reason, which results in the death of teenage drivers (52%), violation of the traffic rules (25.33%). RARI results also suggest the relationship between the affected persons and the road traffic accidents. Lastly, few suggestions were proposed to overcome the ratio and severity of road traffic accidents because these accidents are predictable and largely preventable through multi-disciplinary coherent strategies.