A study reveals that speeding, poor infrastructure and traffic violations are behind the increase in the number of road deaths across the province.
The increasing number of road accidents in Punjab has once again raised serious concerns regarding public safety, road planning and traffic management. Rapid urbanization, an increase in the number of vehicles and insufficient pedestrian infrastructure have contributed to a steady increase in the number of road deaths and injuries.
A survey has revealed that despite road development projects and traffic control measures, Punjab continues to record tens of thousands of road accidents every month. Experts cite speeding, traffic violations, rapid growth in motorcycle use, illegal parking, encroachments and lack of safe pedestrian infrastructure as the main causes.
According to Rescue 1122, over 36,000 road accidents were reported across Punjab in January 2026, resulting in 463 deaths and over 17,000 serious injuries. In May 2026, the province recorded more than 43,000 accidents, resulting in 434 deaths and more than 23,000 injuries.
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Although the government is yet to release a district breakdown covering pedestrians, women, children and the disabled for the first seven months of 2026, data from emergency services and traffic experts indicate that pedestrians, motorcyclists, children and the elderly remain the most vulnerable road users.
Lahore bears the heaviest traffic in the province due to its population, commercial activity and daily commuter volume. Major roads including Canal Road, Ferozepur Road, Multan Road, Jail Road, GT Road and Main Boulevard continue to witness frequent accidents.
The survey found that the lack of continuous trails and safe pedestrian crossings remains one of the city’s biggest safety gaps. In many commercial areas, pedestrians are forced to keep up with fast-moving traffic, while service roads intended for local access are regularly occupied by vehicles.
Aamir Mahmood, who works on Main Boulevard, Gulberg, said pedestrians face danger daily as there are no proper sidewalks and vehicles travel at high speed. “Even feeder roads are frequently used by cars and motorcycles, leaving little safe space for pedestrians,” Mahmood said.
After Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Multan also report high accident rates due to population growth and increased traffic volumes.
Abdullah Malik, head of a civil society organization, said urban planning should prioritize pedestrians instead of focusing only on widening roads for vehicles. “Safe footpaths, pedestrian crossings, signal crossings and pedestrian bridges must become standard features of main roads,” implored Malik.
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Punjab Emergency Service Rescue 1122 continues to provide rapid medical assistance through its fleet of ambulances and trained rescue personnel, but experts say emergency response cannot replace accident prevention.
The study found that although the Lahore Development Authority, Metropolitan Corporation and other agencies have constructed pedestrian bridges and underpasses, existing facilities remain inadequate and many are poorly maintained, with damaged staircases, poor lighting and encroachments discouraging public use.
Dilawar Hussain, a resident, said The Express PK Press Club that hundreds of residents risk their lives every day crossing major roads because many pedestrian bridges are either inaccessible or in poor condition. Elderly people, women and people with disabilities often choose to cross traffic rather than use unsafe bridges.
The Punjab government and traffic police have introduced electronic challans, Safe City surveillance, public awareness campaigns, improvements in the licensing system and identification of accident-prone locations. However, experts say enforcement alone will not solve the problem and are calling for a comprehensive road safety strategy combining better road design, tougher enforcement, better driver training and pedestrian-friendly planning.
Experts have also expressed concern about the growing use of e-scooters by minors, many of whom operate them on public roads without a driver’s license or juvenile license, increasing safety risks.
According to the World Health Organization, road traffic accidents remain one of the leading causes of death worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
The survey concludes that Punjab’s challenge is no longer to identify the causes of road accidents but whether policymakers will invest in safer infrastructure, stricter enforcement and long-term transport planning to reduce loss of life.
