Traffic Condition and Police Relationship in Pakistan: A Case Study of Shaheen Driving School

Pakistan is a country with a population of over 200 million people and a road network of about 263,000 km. Road traffic is one of the major challenges faced by the country, as it causes thousands of deaths, injuries, and economic losses every year. According to the World Health Organization, Pakistan had an estimated road traffic fatality rate of 27.5 per 100,000 population in 2016, which is much higher than the global average of 18.21. Some of the main factors contributing to the poor road safety situation in Pakistan are:

Lack of awareness and compliance with traffic rules and regulations among road users, especially motorcyclists, pedestrians, and drivers of public service vehicles (PSVs).

Poor enforcement of traffic laws and regulations by the traffic police, who are often accused of corruption, negligence, and harassment of road users.

Poor quality and maintenance of roads and vehicles, which do not meet the safety standards and requirements.

Lack of coordination and cooperation among various stakeholders involved in road safety, such as federal and provincial governments, transport authorities, civil society organizations, and private sector.

Lack of reliable data and evidence on road traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities, which hampers the planning and evaluation of road safety interventions.

In order to address these challenges, the government of Pakistan launched its first National Road Safety Strategy (NRSS) in 2018, with the aim of saving 6000 lives that would otherwise be lost in road crashes by 20301. The NRSS is supported by a technical assistance grant from the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) and administered by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The NRSS outlines a series of action plans that will be implemented till 2030, covering various aspects of road safety such as roads, vehicles, road users, emergency care, and institutional arrangements. Some of the key actions that the government of Pakistan will implement include:

Improving the safety standard of roads and vehicles, by conducting road safety audits, applying safe system approach, enhancing vehicle inspection system, and promoting safer vehicles.

Increasing the use of helmets and seat belts, by enforcing the existing laws, raising public awareness, providing incentives and subsidies, and improving the quality and availability of helmets and seat belts.

Enhancing driver licensing standards, particularly for commercial drivers, by introducing computerized testing system, revising the curriculum and training modules, establishing driving schools accreditation system, and conducting periodic refresher courses.

Running awareness campaigns on road safety issues, such as speeding, drunk driving, distracted driving, vulnerable road users protection, and post-crash response.

Ensuring that victims of road crash throughout Pakistan have access to high quality emergency medical care, by strengthening the pre-hospital trauma care system, developing standard operating procedures and protocols for emergency care providers, and establishing a national trauma registry.

One of the key stakeholders that can play a vital role in supporting the implementation of the NRSS is the private sector. Private sector entities such as transport companies, vehicle manufacturers, insurance companies, media outlets, and driving schools can contribute to improving road safety in Pakistan by adopting best practices, providing resources and expertise, raising awareness and advocacy, and collaborating with other stakeholders. A notable example of a private sector entity that has been working on providing driving training and teaching road safety in Pakistan for over four decades is Shaheen Driving School (SDS).

SDS was established in 1985 as the first driving school in Islamabad. It is registered with the government of Pakistan since 1993. SDS has a mission to provide quality driving education to its clients and to promote safe driving culture in Pakistan. SDS offers various courses for different categories of drivers such as learners, professionals, women, senior citizens, foreigners, etc. SDS also provides special courses on defensive driving, road safety awareness, first aid training, etc. SDS has a team of qualified instructors who are trained in modern teaching methods and techniques. SDS uses advanced technology such as simulators, video cameras, and GPS devices to enhance the learning experience of its clients. SDS has a fleet of well-maintained vehicles that are equipped with safety features such as airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS), and seat belts.

SDS has been recognized as one of the leading driving schools in Pakistan by various national and international organizations. SDS has received awards from the Ministry of Communications, the National Highway Authority, the Islamabad Traffic Police, the Road Safety Foundation, and the International Road Federation. SDS has also been featured in various media outlets such as newspapers, magazines, TV channels, and radio stations. SDS has also participated in various road safety events and campaigns such as seminars, workshops, exhibitions, rallies, walks, etc.

SDS has a vision to become a model driving school in Pakistan that can set standards for other driving schools to follow. SDS also wants to expand its services to other cities and regions of Pakistan and to reach out to more segments of the society. SDS also wants to collaborate with the government and other stakeholders to support the implementation of the NRSS and to achieve the goal of reducing road traffic fatalities by 50% by 2030. SDS believes that road safety is a shared responsibility and that everyone can play a role in making the roads safer for themselves and others. SDS hopes that with the government support and public cooperation, Pakistan can achieve its road safety targets and become a safer and prosperous country.