Traffic has always been one of Pakistan’s most serious yet ignored problems. For years, roads across the country have been dominated by careless drivers, weak enforcement, and a complete lack of discipline. Many people drive without valid licenses and continue doing so for years without ever learning basic traffic rules. As a result, the number of road accidents in Pakistan increases every year, turning daily travel into a life-threatening activity.

One major issue is that most drivers either do not know traffic laws or simply choose to ignore them. Over-speeding, signal breaking, wrong-side driving, illegal vehicles, fancy number plates, and the refusal to wear helmets or seat belts have become normal habits. Minor accidents and vehicle bumping are so common that people now hesitate to take their new cars on the road. This reckless culture has cost thousands of innocent lives.

In recent years, several tragic incidents exposed the seriousness of the situation. The deadly dumper and water tanker accidents in Karachi claimed the lives of many motorcyclists. The speeding accident on Islamabad’s Srinagar Highway proved that wide roads without discipline are dangerous. Similar tragedies in Lahore and Karachi caused by signal jumping have left families devastated. These are not isolated incidents — they reflect a broken traffic system.

To control this chaos, the government introduced the Electronic Challan (E-Challan) system. An e-challan is a digital traffic ticket issued through surveillance cameras when a driver violates traffic laws. Unlike traditional challans, this system reduces corruption, excuses, and favouritism. Violations such as over-speeding, signal breaking, illegal parking, fancy number plates, and not wearing helmets or seat belts are now detected instantly.

Many people criticize the e-challan system and call it unfair or too strict. The uncomfortable truth, however, is simple: if traffic rules were followed, such a system would not be needed. E-challan is not meant to punish citizens but to protect lives.

Pakistan does not suffer from a lack of laws — it suffers from a lack of responsibility. Until traffic rules are respected and human life is valued, accidents will continue. The e-challan system is not the problem. Our careless attitude is.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)