Punjab’s roads are witnessing a silent emergency. In 2025 alone, over 482,000 accidents were reported, leaving nearly 4,800 people dead and more than half a million injured. Behind these numbers are shattered families lost breadwinners and futures abruptly rewritten.
Approximately 75% of these accidents involved motorcycles the most common and affordable mode of transport for students, laborers, and low income families. In response, authorities have focused almost exclusively on helmet enforcement. Checkpoints, fines, and public campaigns dominate the narrative wear a helmet, and the crisis is solved.
But this is a dangerous simplification.
Helmets are undeniably important. They reduce the severity of head injuries and can save lives. Yet helmets do not prevent accidents, they only mitigate their consequences. The root causes remain, speeding, reckless overtaking, red-light violations, underage and unlicensed driving, overloading, and dangerous stunts like one-wheeling. Weak enforcement and selective accountability further exacerbate the problem.
When a motorcyclist without a helmet can be fined immediately, yet a driver running a red light escapes, the public learns that law enforcement is uneven. When ordinary citizens are penalized but influential individuals face no consequences, respect for the law erodes. Helmet checks may produce visible statistics, but they do not reduce the underlying risk.
Globally, countries with low road fatalities emphasize systemic enforcement alongside safety gear. Automated speed monitoring, strict licensing procedures, uncompromising penalties, and consistent law application regardless of status are what save lives. Helmets are part of the solution, not the solution itself.
Islamic teachings reinforce this approach. The Qur’an commands: “And do not throw yourselves into destruction” (Al-Baqarah: 2:195). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock.” Both citizens and authorities share responsibility. When law enforcement fails, accountability suffers. When citizens disregard rules, lives are lost.
To truly reduce fatalities, Punjab must go beyond helmet campaigns
Implement effective, automated speed enforcement
Enforce zero tolerance for underage and unlicensed driving
Penalize reckless driving and stunt behavior swiftly and consistently
Ensure traffic police operate free from political or social influence
Integrate road safety education into school and college curricula
Until the rule of law prevails, statistics will repeat, and families will continue to suffer. Helmets are essential, but institutional accountability is critical.
The tragedy is not that helmets are required. The tragedy is that they have become the symbol of reform while deeper systemic issues remain unaddressed. Saving lives requires more than protective gear it, requires consistent enforcement, institutional courage, and a commitment to equality under the law.
Helmets are necessary. Accountability is indispensable.
Dr Maqsood Ahmad Shanawar Advocate
The author is a lawyer by profession and also works as part-time journalist for print and electronic media outlets . He can be reached at : [email protected]
