Nearly 200 Lives Lost on Rawalpindi Roads in a Year

News Desk 

Rawalpindi: Nearly 200 lives lost and thousands left injured in road traffic accidents over the past year have cast a spotlight on the growing road safety crisis in Rawalpindi, prompting authorities to adopt a strict zero-tolerance approach towards traffic violations.

According to data released by Rescue 1122, a total of 199 people were killed while more than 18,000 were injured in 16,626 road traffic accidents reported across Rawalpindi District during 2025. The accidents affected 18,633 individuals, with 8,472 sustaining serious injuries and 9,962 suffering minor wounds.A Rescue 1122 spokesperson said the emergency service responded swiftly to all reported accidents, maintaining its average response time and reaching scenes promptly. “Timely intervention played a crucial role in saving many lives,” he said, adding that the service remained fully operational throughout the year despite the high volume of emergencies.

The data reveals that motorcyclists and car drivers were the most affected, with men accounting for the vast majority of victims. Of the total affected individuals, 15,661 were men and 2,972 were women. Alarmingly, the most vulnerable age group was between 11 and 40 years, highlighting risky driving behaviours and poor compliance with road safety regulations among younger road users.

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Over-speeding, careless driving, one-wheeling, improper turning, tyre bursts and other mechanical faults were identified as the leading causes of accidents.

Beyond emergency response, Rescue 1122 has been actively working on prevention through road safety awareness programmes, training workshops and educational sessions at schools, colleges and public spaces to promote responsible driving habits.

Against this backdrop, Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Rawalpindi Farhan Aslam has reiterated a zero-tolerance policy towards traffic violations in the city.

While reviewing traffic management and enforcement at the traffic headquarters, the CTO directed strict action against violations including riding without helmets, wrong-way driving, overloading, non-use of seat belts, tinted glasses and vehicles with fake or improper number plates.

He also ordered that vehicles emitting excessive smoke be impounded at police stations until a valid fitness certificate is produced, in line with smog control measures. Encroachments causing traffic congestion are to be removed in coordination with relevant departments, with violators to be booked accordingly.

Emphasising the role of awareness alongside enforcement, the CTO instructed the Traffic Education Wing to provide daily road safety awareness at bus terminals and along major roads. He further directed that driving licences must be checked before issuing fines, and in cases where drivers lack a licence, fines should be imposed and learner’s permits issued on the spot.

“No leniency will be shown to those who violate traffic laws,” Farhan Aslam said, stressing that strict enforcement is essential to reduce accidents, save lives and ensure smooth traffic flow across Rawalpindi.

Authorities have urged citizens to cooperate with law enforcement, observe speed limits, wear helmets and seat belts, and avoid dangerous practices such as one-wheeling to prevent further loss of life on the city’s roads.